Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has agreed to act as a mediator in Mali’s political crisis, as the West African country’s military junta confronts pressure to return to democratic administration, according to both foreign ministries.

Mali has been in chaos since the military seized control in the Sahel state in August 2020, with talks ongoing over how long it would take to restore constitutional order.

Relations between France and the junta have also worsened, with Mali withdrawing from its defence treaties with Paris on Monday, citing “flagrant abuses” of its national sovereignty by French forces.

Abdoulaye Diop, Mali’s Foreign Minister, and his Togolese colleague informed reporters late Wednesday in Togo’s capital Lome that Gnassingbe had agreed to act as a crisis mediator.

“We requested that President Faure Gnassingbe utilise his good office, knowledge, and experience to enable engagement with regional players and, more broadly, dialogue with the whole international community,” Diop added.

“The circumstance we are in today necessitates that we demonstrate political ingenuity in figuring out how to get out of it.”

Foreign Minister Robert Dussey of Togo stated that the offer had been accepted.

Mali’s military junta first vowed to restore civilian authority, but was sanctioned after failing to meet a commitment to the West African group ECOWAS to organise elections in February of this year.

Diop stated that due to Mali’s security situation and the necessity for changes, the country will require 24 months to restore to constitutional order.

Mali’s military leader, Assimi Goita, took control for the first time in 2020, following demonstrations against the government’s handling of the country’s fight against a terrorist attack.

In 2021, Goita attempted another coup to depose civilian officials and was sworn in as provisional president.

So far, he has defied international pressure to conduct elections.

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