President Muhammadu Buhari said Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), at the behest of their Chairman, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, might convene gain ttomorrow minds on outstanding grey areas in the Mali political impasse.
Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, said Buhari stated this after receiving briefing at the State House, Abuja, from ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, former Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
Mali has appointed a civilian as Interim President who would be in office for 18 months and lead the country back to constitutional democracy, after the military take-over of power in the country.
That was part of the demands by West African leaders before a regime of sanctions imposed on the country could be lifted.
However, according to Jonathan, the military leaders had yet to satisfy ECOWAS demand of a full civilian as Vice President, and what his roles would be in government.
“That position is currently being held by a serving military officer who was also one of the leaders of the take-over,’’ Jonathan observed.
Buhari advised the special envoy to present a formal report to the new ECOWAS Chairman, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, “who will write us officially, and we will then determine the next steps.”
The president said with about two-thirds of Mali currently under occupation by terrorists, “the priority of the military should be to secure their country.”
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