The U.S. has urged the transitional government in Mali to honour its commitments to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
A spokesperson for the department, Ms Morgan Ortagus, made the call in a statement made available on the African Regional Media Hub.
The commitment includes holding a democratic election within 18 months.
Ortagus said that the U.S. viewed the Republic of Mali’s establishment of a transitional government “as an initial step towards a return to constitutional order”.
The U.S. called on the government to respect human fights and take concrete steps to prevent the violation of such rights by state security forces.
The department also said that when violations occur, investigations should be carried out and those responsible, held to account.
Ortagus said that as a partner of Mali for over 60 years, the U.S. would work with all who are committed to the goals for a better country.
The statement read: “The United States views the establishment of a transitional government in the Republic of Mali as an initial step towards a return to constitutional order. We urge the transitional government to honour its commitments to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including holding democratic elections within 18 months. It will also be important for the transitional government to fulfil its pledges to the Malian people to strengthen governance, combat corruption, reform electoral processes, and implement the 2015 Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in Mali. We call on the government to respect human rights and take concrete steps to prevent violations of those rights by state security forces and to investigate and hold to account those responsible when violations do occur.
“We firmly believe that a democratic, prosperous, and secure Mali is essential to the future of the Sahel region. As a partner of Mali for over 60 years, the United States will work with all who are committed to these goals. Now is the time for Malians to come together to build a better, brighter future for all.”
Among the declarations adopted by the summit is that the transition government in Mali must be led by civilians and that the return to constitutional order should be concluded within 12 months.
Malian military was also encouraged to focus on securing the country faced with severe security threats from its northern part, instead of an incursion into governance.
