Nigeria is leading a Mediation Support Team (MST) in a move by the Economic Community Of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to find solution to the political logjam brought about by disputed election result in the Federal Republic of Gambia.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who was picked by ECOWAS at its December 17, 2016 Summit in Abuja as the Mediator for The Gambia, with Mr. John Mahama, the out- going President of Ghana as Co-Mediator, has already asked the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama to lead the Mediation Support Team.
A statement by the senior special assistant to President Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the team of the Co-Mediator has begun immediate consultations with leaders in the sub-region as well as with international partners for the purpose of resolving the political challenges in Gambia.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has activated the process for the execution of his task.”
The ECOWAS Summit, the statement said, gave the terms of reference of the Buhari’s Committee to include ensuring the safety of the President-Elect, Adama Barrow, the political leaders and the entire population; upholding the result of the Presidential election held on December 1, 2016 and ensuring that the President-elect is sworn into office on January 19, 2017, in conformity with the constitution of the country.
The Presidential spokesman said that President Buhari’s committee has begun immediate consultations with leaders in the sub-region as well as with international partners.
“The main task of the Mediation Support Team is to undertake the first phase of the preparatory and support work that would lead to a high level meeting of the Mediator (President Buhari) and the stakeholders.
“President Muhammadu Buhari remains optimistic that a peaceful resolution of the problem, in line with the laws and the constitution of The Gambia is possible before the January 19, 2017 inauguration date of the new President.” [myad]
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