An elderly French aid worker and a top Malian politician captured by presumed jihadists landed to emotional reunions with their families after their release along with two Italian hostages. A white-robed Sophie Petronin, 75, the last French citizen known to be held hostage anywhere in the world since her abduction in 2016, was embraced by […]

The authorities in Mali have announced the release of a dozen political and military figures arrested during a coup in August. They include the former Prime Minister, Boubou Cissé. An official statement said the former detainees would remain at the disposition of the courts if needed. READ ALSO: ECOWAS lifts sanctions imposed on Mali after military […]

US military aid to Mali’s post-coup transition government will remain suspended until a new government is in place following elections, a senior US official said Wednesday. Such a government is not expected to be formed for another 18 months at least, the timeline set by the new authorities for a political transition tasked with preparing […]

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS announced Tuesday that it was ending sanctions imposed against Mali after a military coup in August, saying it wished to back the return to civilian rule. In a statement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said “heads of state and government have decided to lift sanctions” after […]

ECOWAS to deliberate again on grey areas By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Abuja The Special Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Envoy to Mali, and former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the political development in Mali. This is as the Heads of State […]

Former Malian foreign minister Moctar Ouane has been named prime minister by the country’s interim president Bah Ndaw, state television announced Sunday. Ouane, 64, served as foreign minister between 2004 and 2011 during Amadou Toumani Toure’s presidency. The members of the new PM’s government will be unveiled Tuesday, an officer from the military junta in […]

West African states will uphold sanctions on Mali until it appoints a civilian prime minister, the leader of the ECOWAS regional bloc said Friday. The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) slapped sanctions on Mali after the August 18 military coup, which toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The sanctions “will be lifted when […]

Mali’s new president has been sworn into office, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Former Defence Minister Bah Ndaw, 70, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months. Col Goita will be his vice-president. The appointment of a […]

Mali’s new president will be sworn into office on Friday, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Bah Ndaw, a former defense minister, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections are held. Col Goita will be his vice-president. READ ALSO: ECOWAS likely to decide on […]

The West African bloc ECOWAS will likely decide on Friday whether to lift potentially crippling sanctions imposed on Mali after last month’s coup, its mediator said. The mediator, Nigerian former president Goodluck Jonathan, called the 15-nation bloc’s sanctions “unfortunate” during a visit to Mali’s capital Bamako on Wednesday. West African leaders have heaped pressure on […]