Mali: Goïta stands up to ECOWAS

Storm in a tea glass. This is the assessment that should be made after the announcement of sanctions against the putschist regime in Mali, by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Malian people cannot dream of a return to democratic legitimacy so soon. This is the logical conclusion that should be drawn, in view of current developments in this West African country, undermined by repeated political crises, with the key, permanent insecurity. Faced with the situation which has become critical, the umbrella body of sub-regional politics has raised its voice. Decisions from the 4th extraordinary session of ECOWAS, held in Accra, the 9 January 2022, don't make things better. On the contrary, they worsen an already rotten situation which excludes a diplomatic solution.

Withdrawal of ambassadors of all ECOWAS member states from Mali, closure of borders between Mali and ECOWAS, suspension of transactions between ECOWAS (excluding medicines and basic necessities), freezing of Malian assets in the central bank, suspension of financial aid. Purely political sanctions, with immediate effect. Like Goita, the boss of the ruling military junta addresses a response worthy of the affront. The one who now holds all decision-making power at the head of the Malian Republic refuses to keep a low profile. Sanctions seen as water down the duck's back and whose execution faces fierce opposition. What could justify this “stubbornness” of the military junta, while ECOWAS is supposed to find a definitive solution ? There is certainly something fishy going on. For the moment, it is crime that triumphs over diplomacy. The terrorist threat is spreading its tentacles and the Malian people are between a rock and a hard place. When will this standoff end? ? Very smart who can say it. In any case, Assimi Goïta was clear in saying that threats will not make him change his trajectory.

ECOWAS : a weakened institution ?

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) still clings to her doctor posture after death. This is the bitter observation that we make when reading the many sources of tension that are rife on the continent.. The case of the Republic of Mali is very illustrative. Since the start of this political crisis with outbreaks of ethnic conflict against a backdrop of insecurity, the sub-regional umbrella body struggles to put out the appropriate parade. A fact that has become a tradition within the institution and which gives free rein to political savagery and its procession of flagrant violation of individual and collective freedoms. What to question about the functioning of ECOWAS. It seems that there is not a crisis prevention unit or commission to anticipate or stem very early the repetitive political conflicts which create a climate of total insecurity and a prolonged slowdown in development options..

Everytime, the institution tries to play firefighter with decisions of dubious effectiveness, which struggle to achieve unanimity among the protagonists. It is now clear that the formula has never been successful. There is therefore an urgent need to think about changing strategies to prevent the situation from degenerating.. Why always wait until the situation reaches a state of advanced rot and degradation to engage in facade mediation? ? Most often when these cases arise, the likelihood that the conflicting parties will find common ground is very low. Something else, we are tempted to say that ECOWAS does not monitor and evaluate the various political crises on the continent. Its always late mediation should lead to a repertoire to anticipate possible conflicts. We're just trying to attempt reconciliation on a house of cards.

Result, every election season, evil comes back at a gallop. On another side, we are not seeing a long-term resolution of these different conflicts. We just plug the gaps to meet the demands of the day or favor a party. This leaves the seeds of imminent conflicts with inconceivable and even disastrous consequences smoldering.. It is therefore urgent to change paradigms to prevent political crises from reaching their peak and therefore becoming unmanageable before putting out the fire., without knowing that there are incandescent embers likely to rekindle the flame.

Didi HOUNNOU (Coll)