MALI: Buhari backs ECOWAS 12-Month ultimatum to military junta

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged the military junta in Mali to set an acceptable time table for the country’s return to democracy.

The president, in the virtual and third Extraordinary Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the socio-political crisis in the landlocked West African country, said Mali as a geo-political entity could not afford to stand alone in the sub-region.

Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the briefings by ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, Dr. 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.

He said: “However, I’m 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.

READ ALSO: Jonathan briefs Buhari on Mali situation

“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.”

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.

“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,” the president added.

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

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