Through its High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EU welcomed, on Tuesday 6 October, the fact that a new stage had been reached in Mali's civil transition with the entry into office of a new transitional government on the same day.
“The European Union welcomes the appointment of the President of the transition, Mr Bah N'daw, the Prime Minister, Mr Moctar Ouane, and the entry into office of a government paving the way for a civil transition in Mali for a period of 18 months”, said Josep Borrell on behalf of the 27 Member States.
In addition, “the EU welcomes the lifting of sanctions” decided by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and made public on Tuesday.
These sanctions had been imposed on Mali after the military coup of 18 August.
“Now that the conditions have been met, the European Union is prepared to support the transition in order to organise credible elections leading to the restoration of constitutional order and to carry out priority reforms to meet Mali's structural and long-term challenges”, Mr Borrell says in his written declaration.
It states that the EU “will pay particular attention to concrete actions, particularly in the areas of governance, the fight against impunity, the fight against corruption, more efficient, transparent and accountable management of defence and security forces, and a more effective presence of State services in the most fragile regions for the benefit of the population”.
The High Representative recalls that the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement remains imperative.
The new government is reserving several key positions for the military: Defence, Security and Civil Protection, National Reconciliation, Territorial Administration. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)