No.72/2012 Abuja, 22^nd March 2012

ECOWAS STATEMENT ON THE DISTURBANCES IN BAMAKO, MALI

The ECOWAS Commission has been following the unfolding events in Bamako, the capital of Mali, with dismay and mounting concern, following the mutiny by a section of the military at the Kati Barracks on the outskirts of the capital on 21 March 2012.

The disturbances sparked by elements within the armed forces are all the more reprehensible, coming amidst the on-going regional and international efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the rebellion in the north of the country, and a day after a special ministerial session of the AU Peace and Security Council on the matter ended in Bamako.

ECOWAS strongly condemns the misguided actions of the mutineers and warns that it will not condone any recourse to violence as a means of seeking redress. The Commission wishes to remind the military of its responsibility under the Constitution, and to reiterate ECOWAS' policy of "Zero Tolerance” for any attempt to obtain or maintain power by unconstitutional means.

ECOWAS is closely monitoring developments in the country and will respond appropriately to any attempts to further disturb the precarious security situation.

H.E. Désiré Kadré OUEDRAOGO

President of the ECOWAS Commission Abuja, 21 March 2012

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