The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) has decided to lift the suspension on Mali, a country that has experienced two coups d’état in August 2020 and May 2021, and is currently under military rule.

UEMOA, comprising eight member countries, made this announcement during a meeting in Guinea-Bissau on July 8, prior to the 63rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

This decision follows the withdrawal of economic sanctions imposed by ECOWAS in January 2022, which had been in effect until July 2022.

However, ECOWAS has maintained the suspension of Mali from its activities and has imposed individual sanctions on military junta members.

These actions were taken due to the failure of the coup authorities to fulfill their promise of organizing elections by February 2022.

In June 2023, Malians participated in a referendum to vote on a new constitution proposed by the ruling junta.

The official results indicated that 97% of participants voted in favor of the new constitution.

The proposed constitution seeks to enhance the president’s powers, allowing the appointment and dismissal of the prime minister and government members, as well as the dissolution of the National Assembly.

It also addresses the country’s secularity and consolidates the central state, leading to objections from Muslim clerics and Tuareg movements.

The military junta plans to hold legislative elections in October and presidential elections in February 2024 to establish constitutional order.

However, this is happening amidst a severe security crisis caused by frequent attacks from jihadist groups operating in various Mali regions, including the capital’s outskirts, Bamako.