African Union Suspends Mali And Warns Of Sanctions

• Colonel Assimi Goita, who led the coup, was appointed transitional president by the country’s constitutional court four days ago.

Mali has been suspended from the African Union following last week’s military coup – for the second time in nine months.

The first was last August following a military coup – but the country was reinstated after the heads of a civilian-led transitional government were announced.

The BBC reports that since the administration has been overthrown, Mali finds itself excluded once again.

Read also: Mali Constitutional Court Declares Colonel Goita Transitional President

The African Union in a statement called for a return to civilian government saying it would not hesitate to impose sanctions and other punitive measures unless troops were urgently ordered to return to barracks.

On Monday, leaders of the West African bloc Ecowas also suspended Mali’s membership, calling on the military government to adhere to an 18-month transition period towards presidential elections next February.

Colonel Assimi Goita, who led the coup, was appointed transitional president by the country’s constitutional court four days ago.

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