The Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) has suspended the membership of West African nation Mali, increasing international pressure on the military junta that seized power in Mali last week after a coup d’etat that ousted Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse from power.
The decision came a day after envoys from the West African bloc ECOWAS and the new military rulers said they had failed to agree on a timetable to return Mali to democratic rule.
Its leadership agreed the move at an extraordinary session held via video-conference, while adding that it would maintain any cooperation that would help the civilian population and a transition to democracy.
The OIF also called for the liberation of the ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who stepped down from power last week after the military revolt, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed.
And they called for the establishment, as soon as possible, of “a transition government led by an civilian authority”. The OIF said it would be sending a high-delegation to Mali in the coming days.
ECOWAS has so far taken the lead in the international community in trying to negotiate a timetable for a return to civilian rule with the country’s new military leaders.
On August 18, 2020, rebel troops seized Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse in a dramatic escalation of a months-long crisis, announcing military rule .
Neighbouring states in West Africa including Nigeria, the European Union , France and the African Union, condemned the coup and warned against any unconstitutional change of power in the country.
Now the leadership of OIF has suspended Mali after holding a meeting via video conference, saying that the body would maintain any cooperation with the Malian junta that would help the civilian population and aid a transition to democracy.
The OIF in a statement also called for the liberation of the ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and called for the establishment, as soon as possible, of “a transition government led by an civilian authority”.
The decision by OIF comes a day after envoys from the West African bloc ECOWAS led by former Nigeria president Goodluck Jonathan and the new Malian military rulers failed to agree on a timetable to return Mali to democratic rule.
Keita was elected in 2013 and re-elected for a second term in 2018 but failed in his fight against Islamic terrorism, ceding a large portion of the country to terrorist control.
This situation plus an already damaged and fragile economy increased frustrations among Malians towards his rule.
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