Mali's workers feel the squeeze as sanctions take hold
Published on: Monday 21 February 2022
Mohamed Cisse used to employ hundreds of workers in Mali's capital Bamako before economic sanctions last month shut borders and cut the lifeblood of his construction business. Its key ingredient, clinker, comes from neighbouring Senegal, from which all but essential goods are blocked. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meant to send a powerful message to Mali's military leaders when it imposed the sanctions after the junta delayed plans to hold elections in February following two coups.