[ 2012-04-08 ]

W.African leaders lift all sanctions on Mali
ABUJA (AFP) - West African leaders have lifted all
sanctions imposed on Mali with immediate effect
following accord on restoration of constitutional
order, a statement from the regional body ECOWAS
said on Sunday.

The consultations between Mali junta leaders and
ECOWAS authorities "resulted in the signing of a
framework agreement on Friday, 6 April 2012 for
the restoration of constitutional order in Mali,"
ECOWAS said.

The junior officers who seized power last month
have agreed with ECOWAS to give up power in return
for an amnesty deal and a lifting of sanctions
that the regional body had imposed on landlocked
Mali.

The deal came amid growing concern at the
situation in northern Mali, which is now torn
between the Tuareg rebels who have declared
independence and Islamists determined to impose
sharia law.

The junta agreed to a timetable for a return to
constitutional rule and elections following their
March 22 overthrow of President Amadou Toumani
Toure, a power grab that sparked international
condemnation.

Under the agreement, the new interim president
will be the speaker of parliament Dioncounda
Traore, ruling with a transitional government
until elections are held.

He flew into Mali on Saturday and was quick to
praise the junta's decision to return the country
to democracy.

Source - AFP

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