African Union Un-Suspends Mali (Map)

Map by Evan Centanni, from blank map by Eric Gaba. License: CC BY-SA

African Union Lifts Suspension of Mali

Less than two months after the African Union (AU) suspended Mali from membership in the continental organization, it ended the suspension earlier this month. It had been suspended after a military faction overthrew the government, but the recent appointment of a civilian-led transitional government have led the AU to lift its suspension. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), from which Mali was also suspended in August, has lifted the economic sanctions that it posed on the member country. However, the suspension of Mali's voting rights in ECOWAS bodies, which was imposed at the same time, seems to still be in place.

Country Short Name:   • Mali (English, French) Official Name:   • Republic of Mali (English) • République du Mali (French) Capital: Bamako

The AU routinely suspends any member country that goes through an unconstitutional change of leadership, especially if it involves military intervention in civilian politics. On the other hand, the rules generally turn a blind eye to leaders who stay in power unconstitutionally, or who had already taken over before the rules took effect. Suspended countries are still considered members, but are temporarily shut out of the organization's meetings and denied a vote in the group's decision-making.

The African Union includes every independent, internationally-recognized country with a capital in Africa, including the partially-recognized Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), which claims to be the government of Western Sahara. Two cities on the North African coast, as well as some outlying islands, are controlled by non-African countries, leaving them outside the African Union for practical purposes. However, even many of those are still claimed by AU member countries in principle.

The only remaining member country currently locked out of the African Union is South Sudan, which was suspended this past July for falling three years behind on its membership payments.

Learn More: Which Countries Are (and Aren't) in the African Union?


You can see past and future updates to this map by viewing all African Union articles or all African Union suspensions updates on PolGeoNow.