Mali junta chief demands end to economic sanctions

Mali's military junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, on Tuesday demanded an end to potentially crippling economic sanctions imposed after last month's coup in the poor Sahel state.

Addressing reporters during a ceremony marking 60 years of Malian independence, Goita said the recent nomination of a civilian as interim president meant that West African leaders must end their trade embargo.

The 15-nation West Africa bloc ECOWAS shuttered Mali's borders and imposed trade restrictions after Malian military officers ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18.

Last week, the trade bloc also insisted that it would maintain the measures unless Mali's ruling officers appoint civilian leaders swiftly.

"The international community is watching us... which is why we accepted the ECOWAS principles," Goita said on Tuesday.

"In the coming days ECOWAS must remove these sanctions for the happiness of the Malian people," he added.

The demand comes after a group of officials selected by the junta chose retired colonel Bah Ndaw as interim president on Monday.

Malian Armed Forces soldiers march in a parade at the independence ceremony in Bamako. Goita called on citizens to support the security forces. By MICHELE CATTANI (AFP)

The 70-year-old will lead a transition government for a maximum of 18 months before staging national elections, according to a plan endorsed by the junta.

But it remains unclear how West African leaders will react to Ndaw's nomination.

Hauled back from retirement, the former defence minister spent his career in Mali's military, where he occupied a series of senior positions.

Goita himself will remain as vice president of the transition government.

ECOWAS' mediator in Mali's crisis, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, is expected in the capital Bamako on Wednesday.

'Total embargo'

Mali's neighbours are anxious to avoid the fragile nation of some 19 million people slipping into chaos.

Swathes of the vast country already lie outside of government control, due to a lethal jihadist insurgency that first emerged in 2012 and has also inflamed ethnic tensions.

Last week, ECOWAS took a hard line and threatened a "total embargo" on the country should the junta install military leaders of an interim government.

Current restrictions ban commercial trade and financial flows, but not basic necessities, drugs, equipment to fight coronavirus, fuel or electricity.

Former defence minister Bah Ndaw spent his career in Mali's military, where he occupied a series of senior positions. By HABIBOU KOUYATE (AFP/File)

Heavy sanctions could bite in the poor country already facing a severe economic downturn, aggravated by the jihadist insurgency and chronic inter-ethnic violence.

It was frustrations over this intractable conflict -- plus economic concerns and perceived corruption -- which pushed anti-Keita protesters onto the streets this year, provoking tensions which culminated in last month's coup.

Goita on Tuesday urged citizens to form a "sacred union around Mali" and support the security forces.

"Today is an opportunity for me to congratulate and encourage them for all their efforts to bring security and peace to Mali," he said of the troops.

The junta leader also called on Malians to support the "partner forces" of France and the United Nations in the country, which are often a target of popular anger.

The urging came as a protest against foreign troops was expected in Mali's capital Bamako on Tuesday.

France has 5,100 soldiers deployed across the Sahel as part of its anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane. There are also 13,000 members of a UN peacekeeping force in Mali.