Mali hit with sweeping sanctions over election delay

West African leaders on Sunday backed tough new sanctions on Mali including border closures and a trade embargo, saying the military regime's delays to a return to civilian rule were "totally unacceptable".

The leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also agreed to cut financial aid and freeze Mali's assets at the Central Bank of West African States, according to a final declaration.

And the bloc will recall its member states' ambassadors to Mali, the leaders decided at an extraordinary closed-door gathering in Ghana.

The proposal by Mali's military rulers to hold elections in December 2026 "simply means that an illegitimate military transition Government will take the Malian people hostage during the next five years", said the ECOWAS.

The meeting followed months of increasing tensions over the timetable for restoring civilian rule in Mali after two coups and a military takeover.

In August 2020, army officers led by Colonel Assimi Goita toppled the elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita amid street protests against his unpopular rule.

Under threat of sanctions, Goita promised to restore civilian rule in February 2022 after holding presidential and legislative elections.

But he staged a second coup in May 2021, forcing out an interim civilian government, disrupting the reform timetable, and provoking widespread diplomatic condemnation.

ECOWAS insisted that Mali hold elections in February.

But the junta then said it would set an election date only after holding a nationwide conference, arguing a peaceful after holding a nationwide conference, arguing a peaceful vote was more important than speed.

- 'It's a joke' -

On December 30, after Mali's reform conference ended, the government suggested a transition period of between six months and five years, starting from January 1 this year.

But ECOWAS mediator Goodluck Jonathan asked the regime to revise that plan during a visit last week, Mali's foreign minister said.

On Saturday, the junta submitted a new proposed timetable, Malian state television reported.

The move was intended "to maintain dialogue and good cooperation with ECOWAS", said Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, without elaborating.

"Mali's counter-proposal is for a four-year transition," said a senior official from Ghana, which holds the ECOWAS chair. "It's a joke."

The 15-nation bloc has led the push for the former French colony to honor its commitment to stage elections early this year.

The bloc's push to ensure a return to civilian rule has put its credibility on the line as it seeks to uphold fundamental principles of governance and contain regional instability.