Mali re-instated as member of the Governing Council

Mali, one of the eight founding countries of the Community of Democracies and host country of the Community’s fourth Ministerial Conference in 2007, was suspended from the Governing Council in 2012, due to the military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government in May 2012.
 
Following the suspension, the Community continued to work to assist Mali to restore its democracy: a special group of friends, co-chaired by Canada and Nigeria, was founded and reported regularly to the Council. Secretary General of the Community, Ambassador Maria Leissner, visited the country several times to support democratic actors.
 
Step by step, Mali has reestablished democratic norms in the country – free and fair presidential elections were held peacefully in August 2013, and parliamentary elections were held in December; thorough observance of human and civil rights was reconciled, and international organizations and watchdogs praised the advancements made by the new government.
 
Upon voting for Mali’s reinstatement to the Council, representative of Canada, that has co-chaired the Community’s Group of Friends for Mali together with Nigeria, said: “It is Canada’s view that Mali’s reintegration will not only support the country’s efforts to maintain stable democratic institutions and practices, but will also strengthen the Community of Democracies with the perspectives of an African nation that understands the challenges and opportunities of a democratic transition.”

A press release on the Governing Council's decision can be found here.