Mali: ECOWAS Issues Suspension Notice, Blocks Borders As Soldier Declares Self President.

 Sequel to the military coup which took place in  Mali , the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States have decided to hold an extraordinary summit on the situation in the country today, 20th of August, 2020.

In lieu of this, ECOWAS has suspended Mali and directed member countries to shutdown their borders against the landlocked West African nation.

You would recall that the Malian President , Ibramin Keita; and the country ’ s Prime Minister we're arrested by Soldiers on Tuesday .

Subsequent upon that, the President resigned on Wednesday .

According to a statement which was released  on Wednesday by ECOWAS Commission titled , ‘Heads of State to hold Extraordinary Summit on the socio -political situation in Mali ,’ the summit was scheduled to  hold virtually through videoconference.

“ The Extra -ordinary Summit was convened following the military coup d ’ etat in the Republic of Mali .

Furthermore, it also reads that, “ ECOWAS has strongly condemned the undemocratic change of government as it is against the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance .”

Earlier before that period , ECOWAS in a statement said the military action would impact negatively on peace and stability in Mali and in the sub -region .

We equally gathered from part of it that, “ ECOWAS Suspends Mali from all ECOWAS decision -making bodies with immediate effect, as per the Additional Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance , and this , until effective reinstatement of the constitutional order ;

Part of the statement also reads that the body “ Decides to close all land and air borders, as well as to stop all economical , trade and financial flows and transactions between the ECOWAS Member States and Mali , and encourages all partners to do the same . ”

In the same way, the Federal Government called for the activation of the Economic Community of West African States standby force.

Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama , stated this on his official Twitter handle on Wednesday .

Onyeama ’s tweet reads, “ The Nigerian Government unequivocally condemns the coup d ’état that took place in Mali Monday and demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order . We welcome the urgent activation of the ECOWAS Standby force .”

Meanwhile, The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday has  ordered the Malian mutineers to release the country ’ s President , Ibrahim Keita, other detained officials and return to their barracks.

AFP reports that the 15 members of the council , in a statement released on Wednesday before a closed -door security council meeting requested by France and Niger emphasised on the urgent need to restore the rule of law and to move towards the return to constitutional order .

In a fresh development, a Malian army officer , Colonel Assimi Goita , on Wednesday announced himself as the coup leader who overthrew President Ibrahim Keita .

AFP reports that Goita announced his new position after a meeting with top civil servants on Wednesday.

He said, “ Let me introduce myself, I am colonel Assimi Goita , chairman of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People .”