- Heaps Praises On Jonathan For His Role In Resolving Crisis
By Gbenga Abulude (Politics & General Desk)
The interim president of Mali’s transition government, Mr. Bah N’Daw has assured the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of a timely transition to a democratic rule in Mali.
N’daw who was newly sworn-in Friday, while thanking ECOWAS and former Nigerian president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for the peace efforts, said he was ready to make sacrifices to his country that will bring peace and ensure a smooth transition in the West African country.
He was sworn in as Mali’s interim president five weeks after the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
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The former Defence Minister, aged 70 was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months.
Col Goita is vice-president. The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for the West African regional group, Ecowas, to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup.
N’daw who heaped encomiums on ECOWAS mediator, Dr Jonathan for the roles he played towards restoring normalcy in Mali said, “My gratitude goes to ECOWAS for its constant concern for our country. I also thank ECOWAS mediator, former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the wise advice he has been giving to his Malian brothers and sisters since June this year. He is one of us now.
“I welcome his presence and I would like to assure him of the determination of the Malians to lead a stable, peaceful and successful transition, under the agreed conditions and deadlines.
“I assure him (Jonathan) and ECOWAS that I am ready to make any sacrifice that will bring peace to Mali and make my country recover from its challenges. I will organize election on schedule and will not go outside the letters of the Transition charter.”
Meanwhile, there are indications that the sub-regional body will not lift the sanctions imposed on Mali until the leaders of the country comply with the decisions taken by the Heads of State and Government at the meeting held in Accra, Ghana, last week.
Dr. Jonathan, stated this at a press briefing in Bamako on Friday, stressing that the sanctions will not be lifted unless the new administration appoints a prime minister to run the government.
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A communiqué issued after a two-day visit to Bamako by the mediation team said, “Concerning the sanctions, in conformity with the decisions of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, following the swearing-in of the President of the Transition, they will be lifted once a civilian Prime Minister is appointed. A report on this issue will be submitted to the Chairman of ECOWAS.”
It stated further that the delegation demanded the immediate release of civilian and military personalities of the former regime who have been in detention since 18th August 2020. One of them is the immediate past Prime Minister Boubou Cisse who Dr. Jonathan and other members of his delegation visited in detention at the Kati Barracks last Thursday.
