Title: Why does ECOWAS remain silent in the face of the extension of the transition in Mali?
Introduction :
Since the announcement of the extension of the transition in Mali on September 25, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has remained surprisingly silent. While it had imposed heavy sanctions and firmly negotiated the electoral timetable for the transition, this silence raises questions. To understand this situation, several factors must be taken into account, including the breakdown in contacts between ECOWAS and the Malian authorities, the technical arguments raised by Bamako and the divisions within the West African organization.
1. The breakdown of contacts between ECOWAS and the Malian authorities:
Since the imposition of the travel ban on members of the government and senior officials of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, contacts between ECOWAS and the Malian authorities have broken down. The ECOWAS mediator, Goodluck Jonathan, has not set foot in the country for eight months. This lack of dialogue has led to a feeling of embarrassment within ECOWAS, which finds itself without an interlocutor in Bamako.
2. The technical arguments put forward by Bamako:
Bamako cited technical reasons to justify extending the transition, including security and financial concerns. Some observers, however, fear that these arguments hide a desire to significantly prolong the transition. ECOWAS could have accepted a slip of a few months, but the lack of exchanges with the Malian authorities raises concerns about potential longer extensions.
3. Divisions within ECOWAS:
The silence of ECOWAS can also be explained by divisions and internal political concerns within the organization. The differences in approach of Member States have hampered the development of communiqués to express a common position. In addition, some countries, such as Togo, are accused of playing a murky role by maintaining informal ties with the juntas in Mali, which annoys other ECOWAS members.
Conclusion :
In conclusion, the silence of ECOWAS in the face of the extension of the transition in Mali can be explained by several factors, such as the breakdown of contacts with the Malian authorities, the technical arguments put forward by Bamako and the divisions within the organization. . Despite this, several sources emphasize the need to relaunch dialogue to find a solution to the Malian crisis. ECOWAS will have to find a balance between an underground policy and a clear position to face the current challenges in Mali.