President Muhammadu Buhari has joined ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments in calling for the immediate release of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, and a return to constitutional order in the country.
Speaking at a virtual ECOWAS Extraordinary Session on the Situation in Mali on Thursday, the President noted that removal of the Malian leader could spiral into more crises in the country, with devastating consequences for the West African sub-region.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari commended the African Union, United Nations, and other international bodies for condemning the military coup in Mali, urging them to work with the ECOWAS in restoring peace and order in the country by insisting on the supremacy of constitutional provisions.
According to him, “I am pleased that the ECOWAS, African Union, UN, and others issued strongly-worded statements against the action of the Malian military. The events in Mali are great setbacks for regional diplomacy which have grave consequences for the peace and security of West Africa. I am pleased, therefore, that this Extraordinary Summit, holding to discuss pathways to the debacle we face today in Mali, is most timely and appropriate.
The President also said, “Nigeria will continue to support the decisions of the ECOWAS; the action of the military in Mali has regrettably hoisted on us as a sub-region, the need to decide the options that will be consistent with the provisions of the protocol on good governance and democracy, which the ECOWAS, AU, and the UN subscribe to.”
President Buhari demanded;
“(a) President Keita and other detainees should be released unconditionally and with immediate effect.
“(b) Nigeria supports the efforts of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger for wider regional and continental consultations, especially on the possibility of detaching the ECOWAS and AU troops with the UN Mission in Mali to protect state institutions and also act as first layer of defence in the country to help preserve and protect lives and property.”
President Buhari said a politically stable Mali is paramount and crucial to the stability of the sub-region.
The Nigerian leader also condoled with President Issoufou of Niger on the tragic attack his country suffered earlier in August, while commending the Chairman of the ECOWAS for his continued effort in Mali’s political situation since the results of the parliamentary elections were announced in March.
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Among the declarations of the summit were: firmness on the restoration of constitutional order, release of President Keita and all those arrested, stoppage of economic relations with Mali with exceptions granted to staple foods, fuel, and medication for the sake of the people, continued engagement with all parties to the crisis while the Special Envoy appointed to mediate, former President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, along with Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission, are to visit Mali to convey the decisions of the West African leaders.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
