Mali: Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

The European Union (EU) reiterates its firm condemnation of the coup d'état in Mali which led to the forced resignation of President Bah N'Daw and his Prime Minister on 26 May.

The EU takes note of the recent decisions of the Heads of State or Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in particular as regards the suspension of Mali from their bodies.

It stresses the need to organise the Malian presidential election on 27 February 2022 under the strict conditions set out in the ECOWAS communiqué of 30 May and the communiqué of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union of 1 June, which call for compliance with the Transition Charter, in particular as regards the ineligibility of the transition leaders.

The EU affirms its support for the mediation efforts of the ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator to Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, and calls for ECOWAS to set up a mechanism to monitor compliance with the transition period. Compliance with these parameters (the immediate appointment of a new civilian Prime Minister; the formation of a new inclusive government to continue the transition agenda; compliance with the 18-month transition period; the date of 27 February 2022 for the presidential election, for which the President, the Vice-President and the Transitional Prime Minister must not be able to stand as candidates) is a condition for the ongoing commitment of the EU and the Member States to Mali and their support for the transition. The EU recalls the statement of the European Council of 25 May 2021 and the objectives set out in its Integrated Strategy in the Sahel.

The EU is committed to its G5 Sahel partners in development support, the return of the state, capacity building for defence and security forces and the fight against terrorism, and reiterates its full support for these common priorities in the spirit of civil and political leap forwards, which is more topical than ever.

The commitment of the EU and the Member States to Mali and its partners in the Sahel is based on the principle of mutual accountability. The EU calls for the formation of a new inclusive government, as well as for the continued operationalisation of the transition agenda as mentioned in the Transition Charter and the Transition Roadmap - including the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation and the promotion of good governance - and the delivery of the reforms they promote.

The EU continues to stand with the people of the Sahel and reaffirms its full commitment to strict compliance with the rule of law, human rights and international humanitarian law in Mali.