ECOWAS Sanctions against Mali to be Lifted

Mali’s junta has removed a major obstacle to the lifting of ECOWAS sanctions. by withdrawing their transition leader. Africa News reports that the soldiers who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on August 18 have renounced that Colonel Assimi Goïta could replace the civilian president in the transition.

The removal of Goita had been a key demand of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Mali on August 20. Mali had faced a commercial and financial embargo, amongst other sanctions since the August coup. The soldiers whose coup ended months of political protests pledged to return power to civilians after a transitional period of 18 months.

According to Africa News, the sanctions could be lifted quickly. An ECOWAS representative, Hamidou Boly, said, “Maybe in the hours or days to come, as soon as the charter is published, we will lift the sanctions.”

The junta is reportedly concerned regarding the effect of the sanctions on a country already in an economic slump.

Umm Muhammed Umar

School Feeding Scheme Crisis

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 2-minute read 13 August 2026 With only 18% of schools in six provinces meeting the legal requirements for food handling, children across the country are being put at risk. The National School Nutrition Programme feeds roughly...

Political Killings On The Rise

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 11 August 2026 2-minute read Seven political party councillors have been murdered in the run-up to elections with seven suspects arrested thus far. The targets include a DA member in the Western Cape, ANC members in the...

Fighting For His Political Life

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 06 August 2026 2-minute read The Impeachment Committee is to decide whether President Ramaphosa should be impeached following the Phala Phala scandal. An evidence leader, advocate Thandazani Madonsela, has been recommended to...

March and March says Radio Islam’s interviews on Islamophobia spark reflection

Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za 7 August 2026 | 08:26 CAT 1-minute read March and March national spokesperson Sandile Dube said that Radio Islam's questioning will prompt the organisation to reflect on criticism that it has become increasingly hostile towards the...

Ramaphosa backs Eskom grid split to drive energy reform

4 August 2026 | 15:45 CAT 2-minute read Eskom’s transmission business is being prepared to become a fully independent state-owned grid company. Generation and distribution remain burdened by debt, ageing infrastructure and unpaid municipal accounts. An independent...

Influencing Democracy

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 04 August 2026 2-minute read An article written by human rights lawyer and founder of the organization The Campaign for Free Expression Nicole Fritz claims that paid social media influencers and coordinated fake news campaigns...