BY JIBRIL TURE

In a statement attributed to the U.S. State Department’s spokesperson, Ned Price, on Wednesday, July 6, the United States government says it is encouraged by the outcomes of the ECOWAS summit held on July 3. “We welcome the agreement between ECOWAS and Mali on a 24-month transition timeline starting in March 2022. We trust the transition government of Mali will turn its full attention to implementing the benchmarks of the remainder of the transition as expected by the Malian people and the international community.” However, Washington says it remains “concerned by reports of allegations of human rights abuses and violations committed by the Malian Armed Forces alongside unaccountable international partners.”

Turning his attention to Mali neighbor Burkina Faso, the spokesperson says the U.S. government is “encouraged by the transition government’s proposal to ECOWAS for a two-year transition timeline to return Burkina Faso to democratically elected, civilian-led governance.” Noting that ECOWAS will continue to play an important role in support of transition processes and security, the State Department spokesperson says “We urge partners to prioritize productive engagement with the transition government and to take into account Burkina Faso’s security and humanitarian challenges.” The U.S. government welcomes the release of deposed former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, adding that it looks forward to “hearing from Burkina Faso’s authorities on the next steps towards a transition.”

Ned Price also commented on Guinea saying the U.S. government urges “the transition government to move the country quickly toward a constitutional, civilian-led democracy through a transparent and consultative process.” The U.S. government also welcomes “ECOWAS’s continued engagement in Guinea and encourage further cooperation and dialogue with all stakeholders. We urge all stakeholders to work together to agree on a transition timeline with concrete, measurable benchmarks that facilitates progress towards democratic rule. We welcome steps towards increased dialogue between stakeholders and firmly support the right of peaceful assembly exercised in peaceful protest.”

To read more, click here