African leaders impose sanctions on Mali

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DAKAR, Senegal, April 3 (UPI) -- Neighboring African leaders say they've imposed financial and diplomatic sanctions on Mali after disgruntled soldiers staged a military coup.

The Economic Community of West African States, which held an emergency meeting Monday in Senegal, closed borders between Mali and member states. The flow of currency to Mali has been cut off and the nation's assets were frozen, Voice of America reported.

Travel bans were imposed on military junta members and their personal assets were frozen.

ECOWAS officials said junta members must step aside and return constitutional order to the country.

Soldiers in the West African nation, calling themselves the National Committee for the Establishment of Democracy, dissolved the government on March 22.