African Union suspends Mali & threatens sanctions

The African Union suspended Mali’s membership in response to last week’s military coup and threatened sanctions, if a civilian-led government is not restored. West African regional bloc ECOWAS had suspended Mali. African Union's Peace and Security Council said that the organisation called for an unimpeded, transparent and swift return to the civilian-led transition, failing which, the Council will not hesitate to impose targeted sanctions. The African Union has strongly urged the Malian military to "urgently and unconditionally" return to the barracks. 

Communiqué of 1001st meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council on the situation in #Mali, 1st of June 2021 https://t.co/7xDS7oxEGg

— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) June 2, 2021

Mali's neighbours and international powers fear the latest revolt will jeopardise a commitment to hold a Presidential election in February. It may also undermine a regional fight against Islamist militants, some of which are based in Mali's desert north. The military arrested Interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane last week and pressured them to resign, derailing a transition to democratic elections after another military coup last August ousted the previous administration. Former Vice President Assimi Goita, a Colonel who led the August coup and last week’s revolt, was declared President on Friday.