West African leaders lift economic and financial sanctions on Mali

Ghana's President Nana Akufo Addo, ECOWAS Commission President Jean-Claude Kassi Brou and Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara attend the ECOWAS summit to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday lifted economic and financial sanctions imposed on Mali, after its military rulers proposed a 24-month transition to democracy and published a new electoral law.

The leaders meeting in Accra also accepted a pledge from the junta that seized power in Burkina Faso in January to restore constitutional order in 24 months.

But the ECOWAS leaders rejected a 3-year transition proposed by coup leaders who seized power in Guinea in September. They told Guinea's junta to propose a new timeline by the end of July or face economic sanctions.

Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo delivers the opening speech as West African leaders meet to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

(Reporting by Cooper Inveen and Christian Akorlie; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Senegal's President Macky Sall and Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe attend ECOWAS summit to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Guinea-Bissau's President General Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Ivory Coast's President Alassane Ouattara and Ghana's President Nana Akufo Addo attend the ECOWAS summit to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

Guinea's seat is empty as West African leaders meet to discuss transitional roadmap for Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, in Accra, Ghana, July 3, 2022. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko