Mali Peace Mission – The Commerce Africa https://thecommerceafrica.com African Reneissance Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:40:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9 Mali Junta Frees President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-junta-frees-president-ibrahim-boubacar-keita/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-junta-frees-president-ibrahim-boubacar-keita/#respond Thu, 27 Aug 2020 16:40:50 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1736 The military mutineers under the aegis National Committee for the Salvation of the People, made this revelation in a post on Facebook, saying Keita has been released and is currently in his residence.

The ousted President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, has been released by Mali mutineers, AFP reports. 

The  military mutineers under the aegis National Committee for the Salvation of the People, made this revelation in a post on Facebook, saying Keita has been released and is currently in his residence.

Recall that the military officials, who seized power in Mali, had told ECOWAS delegation that it want a military-led transitional body to rule the country for three years.

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Mali Junta Negotiates 3-year Military Rule, To Free President Keita https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-junta-negotiates-3-year-military-rule-to-free-president-keita/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-junta-negotiates-3-year-military-rule-to-free-president-keita/#respond Mon, 24 Aug 2020 06:32:39 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1682 The junta that seized power in Mali wants a military-led transitional body to rule for three years and has agreed to release ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a source in a visiting West African delegation said Sunday.

“The junta has affirmed that it wants a three-year transition to review the foundations of the Malian state. This transition will be directed by a body led by a soldier, who will also be head of state,” a source in the ECOWAS delegation in capital Bamako told AFP.

“The government will also be predominantly composed of soldiers” under the junta’s proposal, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The source added that the junta has agreed to “free president Keita”, who has been detained along with other political leaders since the coup on Tuesday, and he “will be able to return to his home” in Bamako.

“And if he wants to travel abroad for treatment, that is not a problem,” the ECOWAS source said.

Prime minister Boubou Cisse, who has been detained with Keita at a military base outside the capital where the coup began, would be moved to a secure residence in the city, the source said.

A junta official confirmed to AFP the decisions on the fate of Keita and Cisse, as well as that “the three-year transition would have a military president and a government mostly composed of soldiers”.

The coup followed months of protests calling for Keita to resign as public discontent with the government grew over the country’s brutal Islamist insurgency and collapsing economy.

While it was met by international condemnation, thousands of opposition supporters celebrated the president’s ouster in the streets of Bamako.

The junta has said it “completed the work” of the protesters and has vowed to stage elections “within a reasonable time”.

However Mali’s neighbours have called for Keita to be reinstated, saying the purpose of the visit by the delegation from the regional ECOWAS bloc was to help “ensure the immediate return of constitutional order”.

Tuesday’s coup was Mali’s second in eight years, and has heightened concern over regional stability as its jihadist insurgency that now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

Credit: The Guardian

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Mali Coup Leaders Meet ECOWAS Mediators Seeking Return to Civilian Rule https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-coup-leaders-meet-ecowas-mediators-seeking-return-to-civilian-rule/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-coup-leaders-meet-ecowas-mediators-seeking-return-to-civilian-rule/#respond Sun, 23 Aug 2020 15:27:06 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1672 A key meeting between Mali’s coup leaders and mediators from West Africa’s regional bloc seeking a return to civilian rule ended after just 20 minutes.

The talks on Saturday were set to last 90 minutes, according to a provisional schedule set by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

It was not clear if the schedule had been changed or talks were cut short.

Tuesday’s overthrow of Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been condemned abroad but celebrated by many in a country battling an armed uprising and months of political unrest.

A delegation from the 15-nation bloc arrived in the capital, Bamako, for talks aimed at reversing the overthrow of Keita and meeting the detained president.

Following the meetings, the head of the delegation, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, said Keita was doing relatively well.

“We saw him, he’s very fine,” said Jonathan. He told the AFP news agency that negotiations were going well and he was “very hopeful”.

ECOWAS has taken a hard line on the coup, shutting borders and halting financial flows – a move diplomats said was as much about warning opponents at home as stabilising Mali.

The highly anticipated meeting was held in the defence ministry, where ECOWAS mediators in face masks sat at a long table opposite military government leader Assimi Goita, who wore a desert camouflage uniform and was flanked by other military officers in berets and fatigues.

ECOWAS and the coup leaders, who call themselves the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), have yet to comment on the discussions.

Credit: Al Jazeera

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ECOWAS Leaders To Visit Mali As Junta, Opposition Close Ranks https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-leaders-to-visit-mali-as-junta-opposition-close-ranks/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-leaders-to-visit-mali-as-junta-opposition-close-ranks/#respond Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:44:06 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1641 West African presidents plan to fly to Mali as regional powers escalate efforts to block a coup-driven regime change, two sources said, after an opposition coalition there joined the junta in rejecting foreign interference.

Leaders of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened over the crisis on Thursday, after it suspended Mali, shut off borders and halted financial flows in response to Tuesday’s overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The bloc plans to send a delegation of presidents including the leaders of Niger, Senegal and Ghana to Mali’s capital, Bamako, to seek a resolution to the crisis, a regional diplomat and a senior official told Reuters.

It was not immediately possible to confirm the information.

The coup, which has rocked the country already in the grip of a jihadist insurgency and civil unrest, has been met with almost universal condemnation abroad.

Within Mali, the M5-RFP coalition of opposition groups said it was working with the mutineers. It labelled ECOWAS’s initial response to the coup over-reaction stemming from some regional leaders’ fears that it could set off unrest in their countries.

“(The leaders) are on an all-out drive to set ECOWAS against Mali,” said M5-RFP spokesman Nouhoum Togo.

The capital Bamako was calm for the second straight day on Thursday, a Reuters reporter said, as people appeared to heed earlier calls from junta spokesman Colonel Ismael Wague to return to work and go about their daily lives.

Marc-Andre Boisvert, an independent researcher on the Malian security forces, said the senior mutineers were all respected army colonels.

“It was a coup led by combat-experienced, not personality-driven  officers,” he said “I expect they were selected to be the image of the coup as they are respected and close to the (ordinary) soldiers.”

ECOWAS is expected to release a statement outlining its next steps later on Thursday.

In July, an ECOWAS delegation failed to broker an agreement between Keita and the opposition, who were leading large-scale protests against the government.

Leaders attending the bloc’s virtual summit said the political upheaval in Mali could destabilise the entire region.

“The events in Mali (have).. grave consequences for the peace and security of West Africa, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted.

The coup has fuelled concerns it could disrupt a military campaign against jihadists linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State operating in northern and central Mali and West Africa’s wider Sahel region.

France will continue its Mali-based military operations against Islamist fighters, its armed forces minister said on Thursday.

Landlocked Mali has struggled to regain stability since a Tuareg uprising in 2012 which was hijacked by al Qaeda-linked militants, and a subsequent coup in the capital plunged the country into chaos.

Reuters

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ECOWAS Leaders Ask Malian Authorities to Form Unity Govt Within 10days https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-leaders-ask-malian-authorities-to-form-unity-govt-within-10days/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-leaders-ask-malian-authorities-to-form-unity-govt-within-10days/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2020 05:30:03 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1278

Leaders of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) have called on the constituted authorities in Mali to form a National Unity Government within ten days and in line with the recommendations of the Mediator.

This was one of the resolutions reached by the ECOWAS leaders at the end of their extraordinary meeting held virtually on Monday morning.

The communique was read by Nigeria’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Zubairu Dada.

The West African leaders, however, did not agree with the opposition’s call for the resignation of President Ibrahim Keita. Instead, they demanded the formation of a unity government and called on the opposition to be part of the unity government.

Read the communique from today’s meeting below.

  1. The Heads of States and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held and extraordinary Summit by Visio conference on July 27th 2020. They examined the current socio-political situation in Mali, characterised by demonstrations initiated early June 2020 by a group which includes political parties, civil society organisations and various religious associations. This group is called the June 5 Movement Group of Patriotic Forces (M5-RFP).
  2. This socio-political situation is taking place in a difficult context for Mali, characterised by a serious security threat with recurring terrorist attacks, inter-community tensions in the Central part of the country, a social tension marked by a long strike of school teachers, a health crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and financial consequences.
  3. This current crisis is quite similar to the 2012 one when violent demonstrations led to a military coup on March 22, 2012. It is useful to recall that this 2012 military coup plunged the Republic of Mali into uncertainty and favoured the expansion of terrorist jihadist groups in the country.
  4. In order to avoid the repetition of this situation, an ECOWAS Ministerial Mission was deployed to Bamako from June 18 to 20th by the Chairperson of ECOWAS to help resolve the crisis. The Ministerial Mission established the diagnostic of the crisis, and proposed solutions along with some recommendations. Unfortunately these recommendations were not implemented and demonstrations continued. They were particularly violent on July 10th, 11th and 12th and led to numerous deaths, and casualties, with public and private property destructions.
  5. With the deterioration of the situation, ECOWAS appointed H.E. DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a Special Envoy to lead a Mediation mission to reduce tension. The Mediator conducted a mission to Bamako from July 15th to 19th 2020 and after meeting all stakeholders, formulated a Roadmap for a way out of the crisis. This roadmap was accepted by most stakeholders with the exception of the Strategic Committee of M5-RFP which maintained its demands, namely: The resignation of the President of the Republic of Mali; The establishment of a transitional regime; The establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the deaths on July 10th, 11th and 12th, and the release of the Honourable Soumaïla Cissé, head of the Parliamentarian Opposition, abducted during the legislative elections.
    The M5-RFP has also announced that they will resume demonstrations.
  6. To curb this spiral of violence and reach a lasting solution, a Mission of five (5) Heads of State went to Bamako on Thursday 23July 2020. This mission comprised of H.E. Mahamadou IssoUFOU, President of the Republic of Niger, current Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority; H.E. Nana Akufo ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Alassane OUATTARA, President of the Republic of Cote d’lvoire H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E. Macky SALL, President of the Republic of Senegal. The Mission met the President of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, as well as the main stakeholders such as the M5-RFP Strategic Committee with their Spiritual Leader, the Presidential majority in Parliament, and civil society leaders. The mission indicated to all the stakeholders its vision for a necessary and quick way out of this crisis.
  7. Given the seriousness and the urgency of this situation, the Heads of State and Government suggested to hold an Extraordinary Summit with a view to examine the situation and take the necessary decisions to restore peace and stability in Mali.
  8. Following this Extraordinary Summit, the Heads of State and Government express their condolences to the grieving families and wish a prompt recovery to the wounded. They express deep concerns on this situation likely to increase instability in Mali, and in the sub-region. They reiterate their call to all Malian stakeholders to avoid violence and resort to dialogue for the resolution of dispute in a context marked by the multidimensional difficulties that Mali is facing.
  9. They congratulate the Mediator and the ECOWAS Commission for the Work done and express their support to all proposals put forth by the Mediation and included in the Roadmap.
  10. The Heads of State and Government insisted on the importance and the need to respect the Institutions of the Republic, especially the Constitutional means of ascending to power in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.
  11. The Heads of State and Government noted that the main Malian Institutions are inoperative. It is therefore paramount to re-establish as quickly as possible, these sovereign Institutions necessary for the proper functioning of the State and the management of all issues raised by demonstrators.
  12. The Head of States and Government therefore took the following decisions

a. The Parliament: The Heads of State and Government ask all political parties to endeavour to obtain the immediate resignation of all the 31 Members of Parliament whose election is contested. These resignation will pave the way for by-elections. Pending
these by-elections, the Parliament will operate with the 116 remaining Members.

b. The Constitutional Court the Heads of State and Government ask all the relevant Institutions to facilitate its immediate recomposition according to legal provisions in Mali. The Parliament will propose its representatives after the resignation of the 31 members whose election is contested and the installation of the new bureau. In case of difficulty for the various bodies in designating their members to the Constitutional Court, the President of the Republic will use the exceptional power provided by Article 50 of the Constitution of Mali to nominate the 9 members.

C. The Executive Branch: A National Unity Government will be established rapidly in line with the recommendations of the Mediator. The Heads of States and  Government encourage the opposition, in particular, the M5-RFP, to participate in this National Unity Government. The main task of this National Unity Government will be to deal with the consequences of the demonstrations, and to implement all reforms and recommendations issued from the Inclusive National Dialogue and to improve governance. In particular the implementation of the Algiers Agreements will need to be accelerated. Given the numerous challenges facing the country, Some
members of Government will be nominated before the National Unity Government is formed. These are the ministries in charge of Defense, Justice, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Finance.

d. Inquiries: the Heads of State and Government ask the relevant authorities to conduct quickly those inquiries to determine and identify those responsible for the violence that led to deaths and casualties as well as public and private properties destruction on July 10th, 11th, and 12th 2020

Finally, the Heads of State and Government:
Reiterate their solidarity with the Honourable Soumaila CISSE, Leader of the Opposition, abducted since March 25″ 2020. They insist on the Malian Authorities to intensify efforts for his release.

Ask the ECOWAS Commission to put in place a Monitoring Committee for the implementation of all the above measures. This Committee will include representatives from Government, Parliament, the Judiciary, Civil Society, M5-RFP, women, the youth, with the participation of the local Representative of the African Union the Uritet YatishanEtaiet by ECOWAS.

Ask all stakeholders to implement all the above decisions and measures within 10 days. The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government request the commission to consider sanctions against all those who act contrary to the normalization process of the crisis.

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Mali: ECOWAS Still in Search of Peace After Meeting in Bamako https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-ecowas-still-in-search-of-peace-after-meeting-in-bamako/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-ecowas-still-in-search-of-peace-after-meeting-in-bamako/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2020 11:58:49 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1240 The Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is exploring the option of mutual compromise by all sides involved in the Mali political crisis.

Chairman of the authority and President of Niger Republic, Mahamadou Issoufou, disclosed this after several hours of consultation with interested parties in the crisis by West African leaders at the capital of Mali, Bamako on Thursday.

He also said the Authority would do all it could to salvage the political situation.

The meeting, attended by President Muhammadu Buhari; Host President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, listened to a brief by the ECOWAS Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan and leader of the opposition, Imam Mahmoud Dicko as well as representatives of opposition alliance, M5 and Civil Society Organisations.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the host President also briefed the Heads of State and government on the socio-political situation in the country, especially the disagreements that spiralled into protests and violence.

Speaking to newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Issoufou said an extra-ordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government would hold next Monday to further deliberate on the issues raised, with a view to finding lasting solution to the crisis.

He said the sub-regional leaders had already agreed there would be a need for a compromise to protect the peace and integrity of the nation, adding that allowing a political crisis to fester in Mali would affect the security situation in West Africa, especially neighbouring countries.

The ECOWAS Chairman commended former President, Jonathan, for accepting to lead an initial mission to the country to broker peace and make findings, while appreciating all the West African leaders who attended the meeting.

President Buhari returned to Nigeria after the meeting.

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Mali Crisis: ECOWAS Leaders to Meet in Bamako Thursday https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-crisis-ecowas-leaders-to-meet-in-bamako-thursday/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/mali-crisis-ecowas-leaders-to-meet-in-bamako-thursday/#respond Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:44:49 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1207 following the briefing by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to the country, former President Goodluck Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari will Thursday depart for Bamako, Republic of Mali on a one-day visit, Presidency disclosed.

The Nigerian President and some ECOWAS leaders led by the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the sub-regional organisation, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger Republic, agreed to meet in Mali to engage in further consultations towards finding a political solution to the crisis in the country.

Host President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Presidents Machy Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire are expected to participate in the Bamako meeting.

Former President Jonathan was at the State House in company of President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on Tuesday to brief President Buhari on the unfolding situation in Mali, necessitating the visit of ECOWAS leaders to consolidate on the agreements reached by various parties.

“We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward,” President Buhari had said.

He thanked Dr Jonathan for his comprehensive brief on the situation in Mali, “which you had been abreast with since when you were the sitting Nigerian President.”

The former President had filled in President Buhari on his activities as Special Envoy to restore amity to Mali, rocked by protests against President Keita, who has spent two out of the five years second term in office.

A resistance group, M5, is insisting that the Constitutional Court must be dissolved, and the President resign, before peace can return to the country.

Crisis had erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the polls held recently, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of President Keita.

Riots on July 10 had led to the killing of some protesters by security agents, causing the crisis to spiral out of control, hence the intervention by ECOWAS.

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President Buhari Indicates Interest to Intervene in Mali Crisis https://thecommerceafrica.com/president-buhari-indicates-interest-to-intervene-in-mali-crisis/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/president-buhari-indicates-interest-to-intervene-in-mali-crisis/#respond Tue, 21 Jul 2020 12:48:18 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1179 President Muhammadu Buhari will consult with key leaders of ECOWAS countries in order to find a solution to the crisis rocking Republic of Mali, the Presidency announced on Tuesday.

The President made the pledge while receiving reports from ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The former President was at State House, Abuja, in company of President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

“We will ask the President of Niger, who is the Chairman of ECOWAS to brief us as a group, and we will then know the way forward,” President Buhari said.

He thanked Dr Jonathan for his comprehensive brief on the situation in Mali, “which you had been abreast with since when you were the sitting Nigerian President.”

The former President had filled in President Buhari on his activities as Special Envoy to restore amity to Mali, rocked by protests against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has spent two out of the five years second term in office.
A resistance group, M5, is insisting that the Constitutional Court must be dissolved, and the President resign, before peace can return to the country.

Crisis had erupted after the court nullified results of 31 parliamentary seats in the polls held recently, awarding victory to some other contenders, which the resistance group said was at the instigation of President Keita.

Riots on July 10 had led to the killing of some protesters by security agents, causing the crisis to spiral out of control, hence the intervention by ECOWAS.

“ECOWAS can’t preside over the removal of an elected President. Not even the African Union (AU), or the United Nations (UN) can do it. Leaders must be elected and leave under constitutional processes, otherwise we would have Banana republics all over the place,” Dr Jonathan submitted.

The former President thanked President Buhari for providing a Presidential jet for the mission, “thus making our trips convenient and comfortable,” and he equally expressed appreciation for the Itakpe-Warri railway complex named after him last weekend.
“It was a big present for me. Thank you very much,” he said.

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ECOWAS Peace Mission Recommends Unity Govt. in Mali https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-peace-mission-recommends-unity-govt-in-mali/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-peace-mission-recommends-unity-govt-in-mali/#respond Mon, 20 Jul 2020 05:54:13 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1137 The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace mission to Mali has recommended the formation of a government of national unity among the disagreeing parties and civil society groups.

led by Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has recommended the formation of a government of national unity with members drawn from different interest groups in the country, including the ruling
coalition, the opposition parties and the civil society.

A communique signed by the ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali and Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, also recommended the establishment of a technical committee to be set up by ECOWAS to monitor the implementation of the proposed measures which also include the reconstitution of the dissolved constitutional court as well as the resolution of the dispute over 31 legislative seats recently set aside by the defunct constitutional court.

Mr Jonathan, who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, led his mediation team on a three-day mission to Mali which ended on Sunday, July 19, 2020, with a view to finding a solution to the socio-political crisis in Mali.

The mission’s communique issued at a press conference in Bamako on Sunday stated: “As a matter of urgency, there is the need to put in place a government of national unity, based on consensus and taking into account the recommendations of the Inclusive National Dialogue, the implementation of the Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement resulting from the Algiers process.”

According to the document, the proposed government will have 50 per cent of its members drawn from the ruling coalition while the opposition and civil society groups will produce 30 per cent and 20 per cent of its membership, respectively.

The communique signed by Mr Jonathan stated further: “A Technical Committee will be put in place by ECOWAS to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the proposed measures. This Committee will comprise representatives of the Government, Parliament, civil society, the Judiciary, Women and Youth associations, and the ECOWAS Representation in Mali.”

While in Bamako, the mission, which was in Mali one month after the visit of ECOWAS Ministerial Mission, held consultations with different stakeholders including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, members of the M5-RFP collation , the majority coalition in Parliament, judges, heads of international agencies, diplomats, members of Civil Society as well as women and youth groups.

While many stakeholders and interest groups welcomed the proposed unity government, it is not however clear whether members of the opposition backed M5 coalition will be part of it, as they continued to insist on the resignation of President Keita among other tough
demands during the many meetings they had with the Jonathan-led team.

The mission urged Malians not to take laws into their hands, and reminded them of the importance of respecting their institutions, “particularly the constitutional means of ascending to power, in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. ECOWAS will not tolerate

“The Mediation Mission welcomes the support of the proposed measures by all the stakeholders met, with the exception of the Strategic Committee of the M5-RFP. ECOWAS will monitor the effective implementation of the proposed measures and remain seized of the matter.
“The Mission reiterates ECOWAS’ solidarity with the Government of Mali and the family of Honourable Soumaïla CISSE, President of the Union for the Republic and Democracy party, Leader of the Opposition, whobhas been kidnapped since March 2020. It invites the Malian Government to intensify its efforts to obtain his release without delay.”

“Furthermore, the Mission encourages all the stakeholders to resort to dialogue and negotiation to resolve the socio-political crisis in good faith and mutual trust with a view to sustaining peace and security in the country.

The Mission which expressed its condolences to the people and the Government of Mali for the loss of lives during recent demonstrations in Bamako also condemned all forms of violence while calling on all parties to exercise restraint.

It also “urged the authorities to finalise all the investigations into the deaths that occurred during the demonstrations on 10th, 11th and 12th July 2020. These investigations must also extend to all forms of violence and destruction of public buildings, including the
National Assembly, the Office of the Radio and Television of Mali (ORTM), and the High Council of Local Communities, as well as private property, in order to establish all responsibilities with a view to implementing the appropriate sanctions.”

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ECOWAS Appoints Ex-Nigerian President Jonathan to Lead Mali Peace Mission https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-appoints-ex-nigerian-president-jonathan-to-lead-mali-peace-mission/ https://thecommerceafrica.com/ecowas-appoints-ex-nigerian-president-jonathan-to-lead-mali-peace-mission/#respond Tue, 14 Jul 2020 19:54:32 +0000 http://thecommerceafrica.com/?p=1061 The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has invoked its regional influence to make peace in Mali following  a deepening political crisis that has claimed lives of at least 11 citizens in the past weekend.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been appointed as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the M5-RFP opposition alliance , civil society as well as religious organisations, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in the West African country.

Mr. Jonathan has expressed optimism to resolve the crisis which has put President Keita under immense pressure as the protesting movement insists on his resignation despite a number of concessions he offered in a bid to resolve the escalating crisis.

Speaking ahead of his scheduled departure for Bamako on Wednesday, Mr Jonathan promised to do his best to ensure that the mission achieves the desired result.

According to his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Mr Jonathan also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the support of the Nigerian Government, including providing an aircraft and other logistics needed to make the assignment successful.

The former President’s appointment was communicated to him in a letter signed by Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission.

It said: “Given your position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great role and contributions your tenure offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, I have the honour, in consultation with the Chair of the Authority, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, to communicate to you, the decision to appoint you as ECOWAS Special Envoy for the sociopolitical crisis in Mali.”

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