Thursday, June 19, 2025

Sanctions-hit Mali facing isolation as countries cancel flights

Airlines from neighbouring countries and former colonial ruler France cancelled flights to Mali on Monday, helping isolate a military junta.

• January 11, 2022
Malian President Assimi Goita
Malian President Assimi Goita

Airlines from neighbouring countries and former colonial ruler France cancelled flights to Mali on Monday, helping isolate a military junta under regional sanctions for trying to extend its hold on power.

Ivory Coast’s national carrier Air Cote d’Ivoire halted flights to the Malian capital Bamako on Monday.

Flights from Senegal were also disrupted, according to a Reuters reporter trying to enter Mali.

Air France had also cancelled flights, an airline spokesperson said, because of security risks, without providing further detail.

The head of Mali’s airports, Lassina Togola, said in a statement that Air France flights on Monday were cancelled but not suspended long-term.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on Sunday, imposed strict sanctions on Mali over the interim authorities’ failure to hold democratic elections next month as agreed after a 2020 military coup.

ECOWAS countries on Sunday ordered the withdrawal of its ambassadors in Mali, closure of land and air borders between member states and Mali including the suspension of financial transactions.

While reacting to the sanctions, the interim authority had said “these measures run counter to the efforts of the government and its readiness to engage in a dialogue with the aim of reaching a compromise with ECOWAS on the timetable for election in Mali.’’

Assimi Goita, Mali’s current leader and one of several colonels who overthrew President Boubacar Ibrahim Keita in August 2020, called for calm in a statement on Monday, adding that Mali had the means to withstand the latest sanctions.

This is the toughest stance ECOWAS has taken on Mali since it implemented similar measures in the immediate aftermath of President Boubacar Ibrahim Keita’s ouster in August 2020.

The Malian government has promised it will try to ensure a normal supply of goods to the public, but sanctions are likely to further hobble the economy in one of the world’s poorest countries where an Islamist insurgency rages, fuelled in part by widespread poverty.

(Reuters/NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Abubakar Kyari

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV)

States

Plateau governor’s wife calls for end to sexual violence in conflicts

The governor’s wife said conflict-related sexual violence was not just rape but a weapon of war.

Aminu Mohammed, national coordinator of RAAMP.

Agriculture

FG restates commitment to improve rural roads

Mr Mohammed said this would be achieved by rehabilitating rural roads, upgrading market infrastructure, and enhancing the institutional framework.

Lakers

Sport

NBA Los Angeles Lakers on sale to Chelsea co-owner, Mark Walter, for $10 billion

The sale of the Lakers franchise will be the most lucrative sports franchise sale in history if the deal is completed,

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)

Abuja

FCCPC seals France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

FCCPC said the move was due to the centre’s failure to receive a letter from the commission to investigate a consumer complaint.

FRSC

Heading 2

FRSC boss warns driving school operators against sharp practices

Mr Mohammed said that the driving school operators were critical stakeholders in the effort toward ensuring safety on the highways.

Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE)

States

24-hour operation reduced Ogun road traffic crash cases by 41.11%: TRACE

The commander appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving the employment of 1,000 officers.