The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has hinted that ECOWAS will tomorrow, Sunday May 30, be deliberating and taking consequential decisions on the evolving political and security situation in the Republic of Mali in a one-day summit in Accra.
According to her, the convening of the Extraordinary Session demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the President of the Republic towards addressing the political situation in Mali.
Addressing Journalists in Accra, she said “As you are all aware, the past few days have witnessed some worrying developments in Mali. The arrest and detention of the President and Prime Minister of the Transition Government by the military has necessitated a re-evaluation of the strategies adopted by ECOWAS to bring normalcy to the country”
She added that at the behest of the President of the Republic, an ECOWAS Mediation team, led by H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator for Mali, embarked on a fact-finding mission to Mali from 25th to 26th May, 2021 to assess the situation and explore opportunities for the resolution of the crisis. H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will, therefore, report to the Summit on the outcome of the mission.
“It would be recalled that barely a week after his assumption of office as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, H.E. the President, convened an emergency Summit, held at Peduase, in response to the military intervention, which saw the ousting of the then President H.E. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on 18th August, 2020. That meeting took important decisions, including a demand on the Malian authorities to ensure that the Transition Government was Civilian-led and should last for a period of eighteen (18) months, with effect from 15th September, 2020. The Summit also affirmed that once a civilian-led transition government had assumed office, ECOWAS within the context of its protocols will assist Mali to return to democratic governance. It is important to note that H.E. the President has since been at the centre of efforts, including mediation initiatives, to bring lasting peace and stability to Mali” she noted.
The Sector Minister also hoped that all the political actors in Mali will support the outcome of the Extraordinary Summit to be held tomorrow in order to restore constitutional order in our sister country as soon as practicable.
She hinted that the outcome of the summit will be critical to sustaining the momentum for the return of democracy and stability in Mali.
Stressing on the expected participation in tomorrow's summit, she said “So far ten (10) Heads of State and Government have confirmed their participation. Senegal will be represented by the Foreign Minister. Benin has confirmed participation but yet to indicate the level of representation and countries yet to confirm participation are Guinea and Cabo Verde.
She said “We are also expecting the participation of the President and Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission”
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey further mentioned that Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Special Mediator for Mali, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan will be participating in the Summit.
Meanwhile, Supt. William Kwofie Jabialu, who represented the Director General of MTTD at the press briefing told Journalists that they will not block any roads adding that all dignitaries will be escorted by out-riders from the Airport to the venue.
"We will not block any roads. However, the dignitaries will be escorted by out-riders from the Airport through Opeibea, 37 to Kempinski where I understand the event will take place" he added.
He also noted that media personnel without accreditation will not be allowed to access the event grounds.
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Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith