ABUJA, Nigeria, May 14, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The ECOWAS Commission has observed with deep concern the worrying statements and actions emanating from members of the CNRDRE and their civilian associates in the last few days, which appear clearly designed to disrupt the political transition and further destabilize the situation in Mali.

At a time when the north of the country is still under rebel occupation, the persistent refusal by Captain Amadou Sanogo and the Junta to concentrate their efforts on the recovery of the territorial integrity of the nation and their continued interference with the Transition, in particular the attempts to sideline the Transitional Government, are highly regrettable.

The ECOWAS Commission strongly condemns these moves, which contravene the provisions of the Malian Constitution, as well as the 'Solemn Commitment' by the CNRDRE of 1 April 2012, and the 'Framework Agreement' of 6 April 2012. They also constitute a disregard for the decisions taken by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Mali since the coup d'état of 22 March 2012.

The ECOWAS Commission is closely monitoring the situation and will not allow any individuals or groups to hold the transition to ransom. It wishes once more to warn that failure on the part of the CNRDRE and their civilian allies to clearly reaffirm their commitment to the transitional arrangement in the next few days, and to refrain from any further interference with the arrangement, will be met with the immediate reinstatement of the targeted sanctions that were imposed by the Authority on 2 April 2012 but lifted after the signing of the Framework Agreement on 6 April 2012. To this end, the ECOWAS Commission is closely collaborating with the African Union.

The ECOWAS Commission commends the Mediator, H.E. Blaise Compaoré, for his continuing efforts to assist the Government and people of Mali to find the appropriate solutions to the double crisis facing the country.

ECOWAS wishes to reiterate its firm commitment to the speedy restoration of the unity and territorial integrity of Mali. In that regard, the Commission is holding the ECOWAS Standby Force in readiness for deployment to protect humanitarian corridors and assist in the efforts to recover the territorial integrity of the nation, as soon as a formal request is received from the Government.

H.E. Désiré Kadré OUEDRAOGO

President of the ECOWAS Commission Abuja, 14 May 2012