Mali junta wants ECOWAS to lift sanctions put in place, as it was already affecting the country.

This was disclosed by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday in Abuja.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Jonathan was quoted as saying “We told them that the authority to do such was only in the hands of ECOWAS heads of state,” Jonathan said.

Dr Jonathan was briefing President Muhammadu Buhari after a 3 day meeting in Mali which ended without a decision on the structure of a transitional government.

The junta leaders said after taking power that they acted because the country was sinking into chaos and insecurity which they said was largely the fault of poor government. They also promised to oversee a transition to elections within a “reasonable” amount of time.

“They call themselves National Committee for the Salvation of the People. We asked them to allow ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to return to his personal residence, where he would be given tight security, but they said he could travel abroad, and not return to answer questions they may have for him,’’ the Special Envoy said.

“We also told them that what would be acceptable to ECOWAS was an Interim Government, headed by a civilian or retired military officer, to last for six or nine months, and maximum of 12 calendar months. The Interim Government would then organize elections to restore full constitutional order.”