Buhari urges Mali to embrace good governance to sustain political stability

Buhari said this in the virtual and third Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS on the socio-political crisis in Mali on Friday, August 28.

In a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari said that the briefings by the Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, clearly showed that the regional body’s engagements with Mali’s new military leadership had yet to achieve the desired results in several key areas.

According to the statement, “I am, however, personally happy to hear of the release from detention of the former President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who is reported to be in good condition.

”The disposition of the new leadership to free the remaining senior officials is noted, as this should contribute to the renewed sense of belonging to the Malian people.

“With regards to other areas being negotiated, Nigeria believes that the people of Mali and the military leaders need to appreciate the fragility of their country and the imminent danger which it poses to the citizens as well as the ECOWAS sub-region.

“For the people of Mali, specifically the leadership, embracing democracy and good governance is crucial to the country’s political stability.

”Mali cannot, therefore, afford to stand alone, hence the need to come to terms with the realities of an acceptable and workable transition compact that inspires the confidence of all Malians,” he said.

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Buhari urges the military leadership to consider the immediate release of all the remaining senior government officials in detention without pre-conditions.

He also enjoined the junta to consider a transition process to be completed in not more than 12 months which should include the representatives of Malian stakeholders.

Buhari added, “In this connection, Nigeria will, alongside ECOWAS, provide necessary logistics support to facilitate the conduct of elections to re-establish democratic governance in Mali.

“As I conclude this intervention, let me thank once again, the Mediator, Dr Jonathan, as well as my colleagues in the sub-region, who have continued to demonstrate a sincere commitment to the resolution of this crisis. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with the good people of Mali,’’ the president said.

The Nigerian leader commended the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic, for convening the extraordinary summit. The president also condoled with Alassane Ouattara, President of Cote D’ivoire, on the loss of a close aide, Mamadi Diane.

Daily Times reports that ECOWAS after the meeting declared that the transition government in Mali must be led by civilians and that the return to constitutional order should be concluded within 12 months.