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Azimi Kutta, the head of the governing council in Mali, expressed his “regret” on Monday for the “illegal, illegal and inhumane” sanctions imposed on his country by the West African economic community, but said he had left the “conversation” door open and was open to talking to the Malian group. Said. The sanctions were backed by France and the United States. Washington stressed ECOWAS ‘concerns about the impact of Russian wagons’ forces on stability in the region. Mali responded before the blockade by closing its borders with the group’s countries and withdrew its ambassadors.
Answer Penalties Colonel Azimi Kutta, head of the ruling military junta in Mali, imposed by the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), reaffirmed his openness to talks with ECOWAS on Monday, while calling on his comrades to remain calm and “firm.”
“While we regret the illegality, illegality and inhumanity of some of the decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS to find a consensus between the superior interests of the Malian people and respect for the fundamental principles of the organization,” Gutta said. Speech broadcast on state television.
Gutta did not announce any new retaliatory measures, but offered a new plan to get out of the political crisis.
Addressing his fellow citizens, the President of the Military Council added, “I urge you to remain calm and calm because we have chosen to be honest in deciding our fate in our own hands by creating our own path.”
The Military Council responded to the new sanctions by summoning its ambassadors from the countries of the regional organization and closing the land and air borders with these countries.
On Sunday, the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union imposed tough economic and diplomatic measures against Mali in response to the intent of years of military rule.
The sanctions came as the military council failed to meet the February deadline for the general public to return to power.
These sanctions are far more severe than those imposed after the first coup in August 2020. Amid the epidemic, its impact was evident in this country, which is considered one of the poorest countries in the world and has no access to the sea.
The ruling military group responded before announcing the imposition of sanctions by withdrawing its ambassadors from the countries of the West African economic community and closing land and air borders with them.
France and the United States announce their support for sanctions
On Monday, France announced its support for the sanctions imposed on Mali by the West African economic community at the United Nations, while Russia called on the Malian authorities to understand their position.
“We will show the necessary respect to our Mali colleagues and support their understandable efforts to restore order in their country,” Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanski told a UN Security Council meeting in West Africa dedicated to Sahel. .
“Of course, we do not want to postpone the election. But we understand the difficulties that the Malian authorities are preparing for the election. Without the return of state power to many regions of the country, it will not be taken into account. The credibility of the election results,” the Russian ambassador added.
Nicolas de Riviere (Paris), the French ambassador to the UN, (Paris) reaffirmed his full support for the efforts of the economic community, returning to the sanctions that affected the Mali military group, especially the closure of borders and the imposition of economic measures. West African nations and Malian officials have said they “have not once again respected the demands of the United Nations.” The Committee and the commitments required for it “in order to make a speedy return to the democratic process.”
For its part, the US State Department said on Monday that it supports additional sanctions imposed on Mali by the West African Economic Community (ECOWAS), and that the head of its military junta is under pressure to try to extend power.
“We reiterate ECOWAS ‘concerns about the forces of the Russian-backed Wagner Group in Mali and their potential impact on stability there,” said Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Nate Price.
France 24 / AFP / Reuters
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