The Permanent Council of the Francophonie (CPF) of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) suspends Mali following the military coup d’état organized on August 18.
The CPF, the body responsible for preparing and following up the summit, took the decision to suspend Mali from the OIF following the military’s initiative to seize power. However, cooperation in favor of the civilian population and the transition to democracy will be maintained.
“This questioning of the institutional order is not acceptable to the Francophone Community, attached to the principles of democracy and the rule of law,” said Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the OIF.
“La Francophonie condemns any seizure of power by violence, arms or any other illegal means in accordance with the provisions of the Bamako Declaration of November 3, 2000,” she recalled.
Louise Mushikiwabo is in contact with all parties and remains very mobilized on the issue of Mali, according to Vanessa Lamothe, Strategic Advisor to the Secretary General of the OIF. A high-level delegation will soon be sent to the Malian capital for a dialogue aimed at finding a way out of the crisis.
The decision to suspend Mali from the OIF came following the failure of talks between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the military chiefs on a timetable for Mali’s return to democracy. The regional organization wants a short transition period at a time when men in uniform would like a period of two to three years to prepare for the return to democracy.
On the other hand, the ruling junta quickly accepted ECOWAS’ request to release former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (IBK) and Prime Minister Boubou Cissé.
Gérard Rugambwa
