Mali Suspended From Francophone Organisation

The international community has increased
pressure on the military junta that seized
power in Mali as the Organisation Internationale
de la Francophonie suspended the country
from its membership, AFP reports.

Its leadership agreed that it would maintain
any cooperation that helps the civilian
population and a transition to democracy.

The decision came a day after envoys from
ECOWAS and the new military leaders said they
had failed to agree on a timetable to return Mali
to democratic rule.

The OIF also called for the liberation of the
ousted President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who
stepped down from power last week after the
military revolt, saying he wanted to avoid
bloodshed.

They called for the establishment, as soon as
possible, of “a transition government led by a
civilian authority”.

The OIF said it would be sending a high-
delegation to Mali in the coming days.

However, the international community has
already condemned the August 18 coup and
ECOWAS has suspended Mali from its ranks.