Buhari holds meeting with ECOWAS leaders over Mali crises, details out

President Muhammadu Buhari in a meeting with fellow leaders of the Economic Communities of West African Countries ECOWAS on Thursday described the crisis in Mali as a setback to West Africa.

Buhari who disclosed this via his verified Twitter handle said the incident was a setback to diplomacy and peace among West African countries.

In his further reaction, the president said Nigeria backs any move by the African Union, and United Nations, UN, to ensure a peaceful resolution in Mali.

According to Buhari: “The events in Mali are great setbacks for regional diplomacy, with grave consequences for the peace and security of West Africa. It is time for the unconstitutional ‘authority’ in Mali to act responsibly and ensure restoration of constitutional order, peace and stability.

“Nigeria strongly supports the efforts of ECOWAS Chairman, President Mahamadou Issoufou, for wider regional and continental consultations with ECOWAS, the AU and the UN, and the adoption of strong measures to bring a speedy resolution to the situation.

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“A politically stable Mali is paramount and crucial to the stability of the sub-region. We must all join efforts, ECOWAS, the AU, the UN and other stakeholders must work together until sanity returns to Mali with the restoration of Civil Administration.”

Recall that the schedule of the extraordinary meeting by ECOWAS leaders over the Mali crises has earlier been reported by ambrosymediainfo.com, following the ouster and forced resignation of President Keita a few days ago from power by Malian soldiers after several months of protests by the civilian populace.