After leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday agreed to close borders with Mali and impose a trade embargo, the Sahel states strongman leader Assimi Goita said on Monday that Bamako remained open to dialogue after the West African bloc ECOWAS imposed sanctions over delayed elections.
« I must tell you that even if we regret the illegal, illegitimate and inhumane nature of certain decisions, Mali remains open to dialogue with ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) in order to find a consensus between the best interests of the Malian people and respect for the fundamental principles of the organisation. »
« Our commitment to a return of a normal, peaceful and secure constitutional order has never wavered. We call on ECOWAS once again to conduct a thorough analysis of the situation in our country, placing the best interests of the Malian people above all other considerations. » he added
