DECLARATION OF ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON THE SOCIO-POLITICAL CRISIS IN MALI

1. The Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened an extraordinary Summit by videoconference on 27 July 2020. Before proceeding with the agenda, they expressed their condolences to H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, on the death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly and former Prime Minister Seydou Elimane Diarra. They also offered their condolences to H.E. Macky Sall on the passing away of Mr Babacar Touré, a prominent Senegalese journalist and Pan-Africanist.

2. In accordance with the agenda, and in line with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, they examined the current socio-political situation in Mali, characterized by demonstrations started in early June 2020, by a group comprising political parties, civil society organisations and various religious associations. The group is called the June 5th Movement — Group of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP).

3. The socio-political situation occurs against a backdrop of difficulties in Mali characterized by a serious security threat with recurring terrorist attacks and inter-community tensions in the central part of the country. There is also social tension with a long-drawn-out strike by school teachers, a health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and financial consequences.

4. The current crisis is quite similar to the one which occurred in 2012, when violent demonstrations led to a military coup on 22 March 2012 that plunged Mali into uncertainty and fostered the expansion of terrorist jihadist groups in the country.

5. To forestall a repeat of this serious situation, an ECOWAS Ministerial Mission was deployed to Bamako from 18 to 20 June by the Chair of ECOWAS, to help resolve the crisis. The Ministerial Mission determined the causes of the crisis and proposed solutions, making some recommendations. Unfortunately the recommendations were not implemented and the demonstrations continued, becoming particularly violent on 10, 11 and 12 July. This led to numerous deaths and casualties and the destruction of public and private property.

6. In light of the deteriorating situation, ECOWAS appointed H.E. Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a Special Envoy and Mediator to lead a Mediation mission to reduce tension. The Mediator conducted a mission to Bamako from 15 to 19 July 2020, along with Honourable Kalla Ankourao, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Nigeriens Abroad and current Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and H.E. Jean Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission.

The Mission met with all the stakeholders and formulated a roadmap for a way out of the crisis.

The roadmap was accepted by the majority of stakeholders, with the exception of the Strategic Committee of M5-RFP which maintained its demands, namely: the resignation of the President of the Republic of Mali, the establishment of a transitional regime, the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the deaths of 10, 1 1 and 12 July, and the release of Honourable SoumaTla Cisse, opposition leader, abducted during the parliamentary elections.

The M5-RFP has also announced that they will resume demonstrations.

7. Consistent with ECOWAS' traditional role of conflict prevention, management and resolution for the purpose of maintaining peace, stability and security in the Community, a Fact-finding Mission of five (5) Heads of State were in Bamako on Thursday, 23 July 2020. The mission comprised:

  H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority,

  H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana,

  H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

  H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal.

The Mission met with the President of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, as well as the main stakeholders including the M5-RFP Strategic Committee and their spiritual leader, the Presidential majority in 3 1 P Parliament, and civil society leaders. The Mission shared with all the stakeholders its vision for a necessary and quick resolution of the crisis

8. Given the gravity and the urgency of the situation, the Heads of State and Government proposed that an extraordinary Summit be convened. The Summit will examine the situation and take the necessary decisions to restore peace and stability in Mali.

9. Following the extraordinary Summit, the Heads of State and Government express their condolences to the grieving families and wish the wounded a prompt recovery. They express deep concern at the situation, which is likely to increase instability in Mali and the sub-region. They reiterate their urgent call to all Malian stakeholders to refrain from violence and employ dialogue to resolve disputes, in a context characterized by the multifaceted difficulties confronting Mali.

10. The Heads of State and Government launch an urgent appeal to observe the truce on demonstrations so as to create a climate of serenity and trust that will encourage dialogue for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Mali.

11. They congratulate the Mediator and the ECOWAS Commission for the work accomplished and express their support for all the proposals put forth by the Mediation and included in the Roadmap.

12. The Heads of State and Government stress that any threat to peace, security and stability in individual Member States is a threat to the Community as a whole. They also insist on the importance of and need to respect the institutions of the Republic, and especially abide by the constitutional means of ascending to power, in conformity with the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

13. The Heads of State and Government note that the main institutions of Mali are inoperative. It is therefore paramount to re-establish, as quickly as possible, the sovereign institutions necessary for the proper functioning of the State and the management of all issues raised by demonstrators.

14. The Head of States and Government therefore take the following decisions:

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a. On the National Assembly: The Heads of State and Government ask all political parties to endeavour to obtain the immediate resignation of all the 31 Members of Parliament whose elections are contested. The resignations will pave the way for by-elections. Pending the by elections, the National Assembly will operate with the remaining 116 Members.

b. On the Constitutional Court: the Heads of State and Government ask all the relevant institutions to facilitate its immediate recomposition in accordance with the legal provisions in force in Mali. The National Assembly, for its part, will appoint representatives after the resignation of the 31 members whose elections are contested and installation of the bureau.

In the event of difficulties with the resignation of parliamentarians or appointment of members to the Constitutional Court by the various bodies, the President of the Republic will invoke Article 50 of the Constitution.

c. On the Executive: A National Unity Government, led by Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, will be quickly established in line with the recommendations of the Mediator. 50% of members are to come from the ruling coalition, 30% from the opposition and 20% from civil society.

Given the numerous challenges facing the country, some members of Government should be nominated before the National Unity Government is formed. This concerns the ministries responsible for Defence, Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Finance.

The Heads of States and Government encourage the Opposition, in particular, M5-RFP, to participate in the National Unity Government.

The main task of the National Unity Government will be to deal with the consequences of the demonstrations, and to implement all reforms and recommendations issued from the Inclusive National Dialogue and to improve governance. In particular, the implementation of the Algiers Agreements will need to be accelerated.

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d. On the investigations concerning the events of 10, 11 and 12 July 2020, the Heads of State and Government ask the relevant authorities to quickly conduct the investigations to determine the causes and identify those responsible for the violence that led to the deaths and casualties, and the destruction of public and private property. The report of the investigation will lead to prosecution.

The Heads of State and Government encourage the President of the Republic H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to set up a Fund to support the injured and the families of victims of the demonstrations.

e. Finally, the Heads of State and Government:

  Reiterate their solidarity with Honourable Soumaila Cisse, Leader of the Opposition, abducted since 25 March 2020. They urge the Malian authorities to continue their efforts to secure his release.

  Ask the ECOWAS Commission to put in place a Monitoring Committee for the implementation of all the above measures. The Committee will include representatives from the Government, Parliament, Judiciary, Civil Society, M5-RFP, majority parties, women and youth, with the participation of the local representatives of the African Union, the United Nation and chaired by ECOWAS.

  Ask all stakeholders to implement in entirety the above decisions and measures within 10 days.

  Request the Commission to consider sanctions against all those who will act contrary to the normalisation process.

  Decide to remain actively seized of the situation in Mali.

15. The Heads of State and Government appeal to the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the United Nations Security Council to endorse the above decisions adopted by the Extraordinary Summit for a way out of the crisis in Mali.

Done by videoconference this 27th day of July 2020

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H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou

Chair

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