THE MILITARY JUNTA MUST HELP US TO HELP MALI- ECOWAS APPEAL FOR SWIFT TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN RULE
The Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) on Monday made a fresh appeal to the CNSP military Junta who took over power in Mali on August 18 to make a swift transition to civilian rule.
The chairman of the West African regional block Mahamadou Issoufou, made the appeal on Monday, September 7, at the 57th summit held in Niamey, Niger’s capital.
“It is our community’s duty to help Malians towards the swift re-establishment of all democratic institutions. The military Junta must help us to help Mali,” President Issoufou said at the beginning of the summit.
Mahamadou Issoufou noted that political stability is pertinent for the security and development of the Sahel country, hence ECOWAS stance for rapid restoration of all democratic institutions.
Recall that ECOWAS instructed member states to shut borders and economic relations with Mali as sanctions for the military coup that resulted in the resignation of former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
Discussions between representatives of ECOWAS and the Military Junta who identified themselves as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People CNSP ended without an agreement on when the country would return to civilian rule.
READ ALSO: MALI: ECOWAS INSISTS CNSP MILITARY JUNTA RETURN POWER TO A CIVILIAN-LED TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
The regional block remains unwavering in its stance for a quick transition of power to civilians. It proposes nothing more than a 7-12 month of military rule whereas, the CNSP intend to hold on to power for up to 2 years.
CNSP MILITARY SHOW EARLY SIGNS OF CONCEDING TO ECOWAS
The room for negotiations are still open, and the CNSP has shown signs of conceding to ECOWAS.
On August 27, the military announced the release of the former President Keïta who was arrested alongside Prime minister Boubou Cissé and some other government officials.
Keita was allowed to fly to UAE for medical treatment on Saturday, September 5.
The National Committee for the Salvation of People (CNSP) on September 5 began an eight-day national consultation on the transition of power in Bamako and other regional capitals of the country.
The meeting which involves all stakeholders including; the opposition coalition of civil and religious leaders political parties, former rebels, unions, civil society organisations, and media representatives is by chaired by the CNSP junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita.
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