Following an agreement by Mali's ruling junta to return to constitutional order, the 15-member Economic Community of West African States has agreed to immediately end its embargo on the country. Meanwhile, Parliamentary speaker Dioncounda Traore, who is tipped to lead the country's interim civilian government, has returned to his homeland.

ECOWAS had placed a complete embargo on Mali on Monday, closing borders to the country and freezing access to its account at the regional bank. The sanctions were in response to a surprise military coup that took place on March 22, ousting President Amadou Toumai Toure. After furious responses from both ECOWAS and the African Union, coup leaders agreed on Friday to restore constitutional order.