Lifting of sanctions will sustain Mali’s junta

Significance

The lifting of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctions, imposed in January to expedite the restoration of democratic rule, has eased economic strains on Mali. Trade corridors have reopened and access to regional credit markets has been restored.

Impacts

• Senegal is a key beneficiary of the lifting of sanctions, given close Malian-Senegalese economic interlinkages.
• Guinea may find itself short-changed as Malian transporters shift back to Senegalese and Ivorian routes.
• ECOWAS will find it difficult to wield much influence over Mali while the junta adheres to the agreed-upon transition timetable.