Opposition In Mali Remains Adamant Over Reconciliation, Ex President Jonathan Tells Buhari

Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reported to President Muhammadu Buhari on his fence-mending mission to Mali where he said the opposition remains adamant to the efforts of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) for political reconciliation.

Dr. Jonathan, who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to the Republic of Mali, told President Buhari, while briefing him today, August 18 at the presidential villa, Abuja that the main opposition group, M5, continued to insist on the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, a position not acceptable to ECOWAS, which insisted only on democratic process in change of power within its jurisdiction.

Dr. Jonathan, who was in Mali from Monday to Thursday, last week, recounted his meetings with the stakeholders, including political and religious leaders, Ambassadors of US, France, Russia, Germany, European Union, and other important personalities key to peace and cohesion in the country.

“We told them that no international organization, including the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and others, would agree with their position. We continued to emphasize the need for dialogue.”

The former President said that the Constitutional Court had been reconstituted and inaugurated, while vacancies in the Supreme Court had been filled, thus sorting out the judicial arm of government.

President Buhari thanked Dr. Jonathan for what he called “the stamina you have displayed” on the Mali issue, and counseled further consultations with the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic.

President Buhari and four other ECOWAS leaders had visited Bamako, Mali, last month, followed by a virtual extraordinary summit of the sub-regional body.