ECOWAS mediator for Mali received in Bamako by President of the Transition
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The mediator of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, was received here Wednesday by the President of the Transition of Mali, Colonel Assimi Goïta.
The ECOWAS mediator for Mali, accompanied by the head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for the Stabilization of Mali (MINUSMA), said he was satisfied with his meeting with Colonel Goita.
He stressed the importance of his presence in Mali, at a critical time for the country.
He recalled that following the recommendations and arrangements of ECOWAS, the transition in Mali should end in 2024.
"It is in this spirit that we said it was better to come, once again, to exchange with the Malian authorities on the organizational difficulties of this transition process," Jonathan explained, saying he had notified Colonel Goïta of his appreciation of the process, including the establishment of some key structures for the smooth running of the transition.
Among these measures, he welcomed the establishment of the Independent Electoral Management Authority (IEMA).
"We congratulated the President of the Transition and all Malian authorities for the establishment of this body. We also appreciated the validation of a biometric card that will serve as a voter card for all Malians," said the ECOWAS mediator.
However, he acknowledged that it was very difficult to be able, during this transition process, to succeed in all the challenges at 100%.
Arriving Tuesday in Bamako, Jonathan met with the ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs, Territorial Administration and other members of the government, members of the AIGE and representatives of political parties and civil society.
He will meet Thursday with members of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), the legislative body of the transition.
-0- PANA GT/JSG/SOC/BBA/RA 23Feb2023
