The President of the HCRRUN, Mediator of the Republic, led a delegation from AMP-UEMOA to meet the President of the Malian transition.

On 2 July 2022, the President of the Transition of the Republic of Mali, Colonel Assimi GOÏTA, received a delegation from the Association of Mediators of WAEMU Member States (AMP-UEMOA), led by its President, Mrs Awa NANA-DABOYA, who also serves as President of the High Commission for Reconciliation and Strengthening of National Unity (HCRRUN) and Ombudsman of the Republic of Togo.

The delegation was introduced by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Mali, Mrs Aminata SANOGO, during an audience held at Koulouba Palace, the seat of the Malian Presidency. The visit aimed to express the solidarity and support of AMP-UEMOA for the Malian people in the context of the socio-economic consequences resulting from the sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Held on the eve of the ECOWAS Summit of 3 July 2022 in Accra, the mission also provided an opportunity for AMP-UEMOA to reiterate its appeal for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Mali and Burkina Faso.

Speaking after the meeting, Mrs Awa NANA-DABOYA explained that the Association had called on the Heads of State of the sub-region to work towards resolving the situation through dialogue.

“If we fail to act, we cannot predict which countries may be affected next or the short- and long-term consequences that such measures may have on our States and their populations. Since both ECOWAS and WAEMU were established to protect the rights and interests of the peoples of the Community, it is difficult to reconcile these objectives with measures that adversely affect citizens. We are here to express our solidarity and reaffirm that, in our capacity as Ombudsmen, our mission is to defend the rights of citizens wherever they live within the Community.”

AMP-UEMOA reaffirmed that freedom of movement and the protection of economic and social rights are fundamental principles underpinning regional integration and democratic governance. The Association emphasized that Ombudsmen cannot remain indifferent when millions of citizens are deprived of the enjoyment of their fundamental rights.

Guided by international human rights instruments and the principles of good governance, AMP-UEMOA continues to promote the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ rights, lasting peace, social cohesion and regional solidarity throughout the WAEMU area. The Association also reaffirmed its commitment to contributing actively to nation-building and the strengthening of democratic governance across the sub-region.