THUR, AUG 20 2020-theG&BJournal- President Muhammadu Buhari has weighed in on the shocking developments in Mali, calling for on the ‘unconstitutional authority’ in Mali to act responsibly and ensure restoration of constitutional order, peace and stability.
The President called the events in Mali ‘’great setbacks’’ for regional diplomacy, with grave consequences for the peace and security of West Africa.
He said Nigeria strongly supports the efforts of the ECOWAS chairman, President Mahamadou Issoufou, for wider regional and continental consultations with ECOWAS, the AU and the UN, and the adaptation of strong measures to bring speedy resolution to the situation.
According to President Buhari, a politically stable Mali is paramount and crucial to the stability of the sub-region.
‘’We must all join efforts, ECOWAS, the AU, the UN and other stakeholders, and work together until sanity returns to Mali with restoration of civil administration,’’ the President said.
The President had earlier today participated in the virtual Extraordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government who are meeting on the situation in Mali.
Mali descended into chaos late Tuesday when a group of soldiers sacked the sitting President, Ibrahim Boubacar who announced quickly that he is resigning as president of the country after 7 years in power following the military mutiny.
Reports from the country say the soldiers who executed the coup plan to form a civilian transitional government that will organize fresh elections.
ECOWAS quickly condemned the coup and issued a statement Tuesday reminding the mutineers of their accountability for the safety and security of the President Ibrahim Boubacar. It also demanded the immediate release of the President and all officials arrested.
The Commission said it is also suspending Mali from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies with immediate effects, ‘’until effective reinstatement of constitutional order.’’
ECOWAS announced a decision to close all land borders, as well as to stop all economical, trade and financial flows and transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Mali, encouraging all partners to do the same. It most importantly activated the ECOWAS Stanby Force.
Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was appointed ECOWAS’ Special Envoy to Mali in July as the country’s political tussle turned sour, to help mediate the tension. But his efforts failed to satisfy the opposition alliance demanding the resignation President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
|twitter:@theGBJournal|email: info@govandbusinessjournal.com.ng|
