Goodluck Jonathan, will today, return to Bamako, in continuation of his mediation mission as the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, intensifies efforts towards resolving the ongoing socio-political crisis in Mali, Page 36 learnt.
As the ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, the former President will be accompanying a High-Level Mission of 5 West African Heads of States, who are visiting Mali, as a follow-up to Jonathan’s last week mediation mission to Bamako.
The High-Level Mission includes Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari; Mahamadou Issoufou, the President of the Republic of Niger and Chair of ECOWAS Authority; Macky Sall, President of Senegal; Alassane Ouattara, President of Cote d’Ivoire; and Nana Akuffo-addo, President of the Republic of Ghana.
The Regional Leaders are expected to meet with key Stakeholders in the Malian political crisis, with a view to helping them to find common ground, in the search for a lasting solution.
After a 3-day mission to Mali, last week, which ended last Sunday, Jonathan and his Mediation team recommended the formation of a government of national unity, with members drawn from different interest groups in the country, including the ruling coalition, the opposition parties, and civil society
They also recommended the establishment of a Technical Committee, to be set up by ECOWAS, to monitor the implementation of the proposed measures, which also include the reconstitution of the dissolved constitutional court, as well as the resolution of the dispute over 31 Legislative seats, recently set aside by the defunct constitutional court.
Many Stakeholders and interest groups have so far welcomed the proposed Unity Government, as a means of resolving the political impasse.
However, the opposition backed the M5 Coalition, are yet to come on board, as they have continued to insist on the resignation of President Keita, among other tough demands, even after meeting with the Jonathan-led team many times.
While in Bamako, the Jonathan-led Mission which was in Mali one month after the visit of ECOWAS Ministerial Mission, held consultations with different Stakeholders, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, members of the M5-RFP Coaliton, the majority Coalition in Parliament, Judges, Heads of International Agencies, Diplomats, Members of Civil Society, as well as women and youth groups.