The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Sunday announced economic sanctions on Mali, due to an “unacceptable” delay in holding elections.

The delay is in response to the 2020 military coup, which delayed the February elections in Mali, one of four the country has experienced in 18 months. Interim authorities in Mali proposed to hold the elections four years after the date agreed with ECOWAS. This was due to Mali proposing a transition back to constitutional rule.

However, ECOWAS has disagreed with the decision. In a statement, ECOWAS said that “an illegitimate military transition government will take the Milian people hostage.”

As a response, the 15 state regional bloc is set to sever diplomatic ties with the country, which includes recalling their ambassadors from Bamako, the capital of Mali. Further economic sanctions will include closing air borders, suspending non-essential financial transactions, and closing borders. Tougher restrictions are aimed to be a protection of democracy according to ECOWAS, and prevent a military rule in light of the recent coups.

However, there is growing uncertainty over how the new restrictions will affect Malian civilian livelihoods. The Malian Government has expressed severe disagreement with the sanctions calling them “illegal and illegitimate.” The economic sanctions may be lifted after an election timeframe has been finalized with clear progression towards that day. However, for now they have been implemented with immediate effect.