Africa Press-Nigeria:<\/p>\n
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday, in Abuja joined ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, urging the military junta in Mali to set an acceptable time table for the country\u2019s return to democracy.<\/p>\n
The president, in virtual and third Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS on the socio-political crisis in Mali, said that Mali as a geo-political entity could not afford to stand alone in the sub-region.<\/p>\n
Buhari\u2019s remarks were contained in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina.<\/p>\n
He said that the briefings by the Special Envoy, former President Goodluck Jonathan, clearly showed that the regional body\u2019s engagements with Mali\u2019s new military leadership had yet to achieve the desired results in several key areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201dThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the military leadership should be flexible in negotiations, by putting the interest of all Malians and the harmony of the sub-region into consideration.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the people of Mali, specifically the leadership, embracing democracy and good governance is crucial to the country\u2019s political stability.<\/p>\n
\u201dMali 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Buhari urged the military leadership to consider the immediate release of all the remaining senior government officials in detention without pre-conditions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a critical consideration for the new government to enjoy the cooperation and collaboration of regional and international community, and to allow the easing of sanctions imposed on Mali,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He further emphasised the need for Mali\u2019s Constitutional Court to work hand in hand with all the Malian stakeholders to ensure an early and hitch-free return to democracy through free, fair and inclusive election.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this connection, Nigeria will, alongside ECOWAS, provide necessary logistics support to facilitate the conduct of elections to re-establish democratic governance in Mali.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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 sincere commitment to the resolution of this crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cNigeria stands in solidarity with the good people of Mali,\u2019\u2019 the president said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Africa Press-Nigeria: The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday, in Abuja joined ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, urging the military junta in Mali to set an acceptable time table for the country\u2019s return to democracy. The president, in virtual and third Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS on the socio-political crisis in Mali, said […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":18520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,29,14],"tags":[1220,97],"class_list":["post-29264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-policy","tag-adesina","tag-buhari"],"yoast_head":"\n