In Mauritania, as part of Mali’s democratic transition plan and the embargo imposed on the country by ECOWAS members, the Malian ministerial delegation, led by the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, met with Mauritanian President Mohamed El Ghazouani in Nouakchott.

Abdoulaye Diop, Malian Minister of Foreign AAffairs : « This message is situated first of all in the context of Mali, notably the challenges and progress linked to the transition process for which we should bring the conclusions to the attention of the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. » « We will continue to work hand in hand in dialogue to ensure that the transition process in Mali can be completed in a consensual framework and in a framework of dialogue. We also hope that the regional and African communities, as well as the international community, will take the necessary steps to better understand and appreciate the situation in our country. » he added

Mali has been seeking support from regional countries to help in its transition despite the ongoing sanctions by the ECOWAS. Leaders from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) agreed to sanction Mali last week, imposing a trade embargo and shutting borders, in a decision later backed by the United States, the European Union and former colonial power France.

The sanctions threaten to damage an already vulnerable economy in landlocked Mali.