Mali’s interim government has expelled the representative of West African bloc ECOWAS, Hamidou Boly from the conflict-ridden and coup-prone country.

According to Malian foreign ministry, Boly was expelled over actions incompatible with his status.

“The government of the Republic of Mali has decided to declare the ECOWAS special representative in Mali persona non grata, in view of his actions that are incompatible with his status,” a government statement broadcast on state television said on Monday.

Boly has 72 hours to leave the Sahel state.

It is not clear what triggered the expulsion. However, it comes at a time of growing pressure on Mali’s military rulers to return power to civilians.

ECOWAS, West Africa’s main political and economic bloc, has been pressing Mali to respect its commitment to hold presidential and legislative elections next February following an August 2020 military coup. 

Mali slid into political turmoil last year, culminating in a putsch led by Colonel Assimi Goita in August 2020 against president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Under the threat of sanctions, the military then appointed an interim civilian government tasked with steering the country back to democratic rule.

But Goita overthrew the leaders of that interim government in May — in a second putsch — and was later declared interim president himself, drawing international condemnation.

Both the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations have insisted on swift elections to restore civilian rule. 

Mali’s interim government has said that it will set an election date after holding a “nation forum on rebuilding” in December.