Residents of Mali rally in support of Russia and against ECOWAS sanctions
Photo: Paul Lorgerie / Reuters
Residents of the African Republic of Mali went to a rally in support of Russia and cooperation between countries. It is reported by RIA Novosti.
One of the organizers of the action, Sheikh Umar Sumano, said that many Malians believe that Russia can help solve the problems that exist in the country. “The solution may come from Russia. It is said that many Malians study in Russia. Russia supports the army of Mali, which very quickly became more powerful and competitive,” he said.
Initially, the action was organized as a demonstration against the sanctions of the Economic Community of West African Nations (ECOWAS). Residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the policy of France, whose colony until 1958 was Mali.
On January 10, ECOWAS imposed tough sanctions on Mali, where a coup took place in May 2021, and closed land and air borders with the state due to the postponement of elections from February 2022 to December 2025. “This schedule simply means that the illegitimate military transitional government will take hostage the people of Mali,” the organization said.
Mali has been in a state of permanent internal instability for several years now. In August 2020, in a wave of massive anti-corruption protests, the military overthrew the legitimately elected government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The transition period was expected to take 18 months. However, on the night of Tuesday, May 25, 2021, the military in Mali arrested the president, prime minister and defense minister of the interim government. As a result of a military coup, Colonel Assimi Goita came to power.
