The European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday that his bloc is planning to take action against anyone delaying Mali’s political transition and is drawing up a list of sanctions to impose on Russian mercenaries that Mali's government hired to fight extremists.

After chairing a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Borrell said that they agreed to set up a system for imposing asset freezes and travel bans on Mali officials and organizations at a future date.

Borrell said this will allow the EU to take sanctions against those obstructing the transition.

Veronic Njie reports.