(4 minutes read)
· When Mali’s military junta appointed the new civilian prime minister Moctar Ouane, last Sunday, many thought sanctions imposed by ECOWAS would be lifted
· West African leaders, it seems, are not taking kindly to junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita being appointed vice president
When Mali’s military junta appointed the new civilian prime minister Moctar Ouane, last Sunday, many thought sanctions imposed by ECOWAS would be lifted. Even though ECOWAS’ leaders said the sanctions would be lifted if the civilian leaders were appointed during the transition period, hopes seem to be dashed.
West African leaders, it seems, are not taking kindly to junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita being appointed vice president. He is the chief architect of toppling the Keita’s government last month.
He was one of the junta leaders toppled former president Keita last month. It also led to former defense minister Bah Ndaw swearing in as the interim president. The only silver lining for Mali has come from Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari’s office. He said that regional leaders may confer again to discuss outstanding grey areas in the Mali political situation. The President had a meeting earlier with ECOWAS envoy and Nigerian ex-president Goodluck Jonathan. Buhari, it is reported, has told the envoy to present a formal report to the ECOWAS’ chairman, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, to take the issue forward.
The military leaders are yet to satisfy ECOWAS demand of a full civilian rule. The hindrance is the junta leader being hoisted as the vice president.
