Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/156 of 4 February 2022 implementing Article 12(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/156of 4 February 2022implementing Article 12(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in MaliTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 of 28 September 2017 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in MaliOJ L 251, 29.9.2017, p. 1., and in particular Article 12(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 28 September 2017, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2017/1770.(2)On 13 December 2021, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2021/2201 to give effects to Decision (CFSP) 2021/2208Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2208 of 13 December 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Mali (OJ L 446, 14.12.2021, p. 44)., which established a new framework that allows for restrictive measures against individuals and entities responsible for threatening the peace, security or stability of Mali, or for obstructing or undermining the successful completion of Mali’s political transition.(3)As decided during the 15 September 2020 meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and as provided for in the Transition Charter, Mali’s Transition Authorities were to have realised the political transition and the handover of power to elected civilian authorities within a 18-month transition period. Within that time frame, they were to have organised free and fair presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for 27 February 2022, along with regional and local elections and a constitutional referendum, as appropriate.(4)On 8 January 2022, Mali’s Transition Authorities submitted to ECOWAS Authority a new schedule for the conduct of the presidential elections for the end of December 2025, thus extending the duration of the transition to a total of five and a half years, contrary to the agreement reached with ECOWAS on 15 September 2020 and the commitment in the Transition Charter. The ECOWAS Authority regretfully observed the failure of the Transition Authorities in Mali to take the necessary steps for the organisation of the Presidential elections before 27 February 2022, contrary to the agreement reached with ECOWAS Authority on 15 September 2020 and the commitment in the Transition Charter. The ECOWAS Authority deeply deplored the obvious and blatant lack of political will from the Transition Authorities that led to the absence of any tangible progress in the preparations for the elections, despite the willingness of ECOWAS and all regional and international partners to support Mali in this process. As regards the conclusions of the "Assises National de la Refondation" (ANR) of 13 December 2021, which led to the adoption of the revised calendar for the elections, the ECOWAS Authority noted that important stakeholders did not participate in those ANR, thus reflecting a lack of consensus by national stakeholders with regard to the proposed calendar. In view of the above, on 9 January 2022, ECOWAS decided to uphold the initial sanctions already imposed on Mali and on the Transition Authorities on 7 November 2021 and imposed additional economic and financial sanctions.(5)In view of the continued gravity of the situation in Mali, five persons should be included in the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex Ia to Regulation (EU) 2017/1770.(6)Annex Ia to Regulation (EU) 2017/1770 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: