An official in neighboring Ivory Coast, whose president is the current chair of the regional body, said that the bloc will not budge in its views until Sanogo returns power to civilians. The official, who could not be named because he was not authorized to speak about the negotiations, added that the junta has not yet felt the bite of the sanctions.
“It will take them four to five days to realize what is happening. No gas, no electricity, no food, then it will hit them. You cannot live alone,” said the senior official. “I would not be surprised if someone puts a bullet through his head, if he continues to insist (on not stepping down).”