By Chinenye Festus:-
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari during a virtual meeting on Thursday of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called for the immediate release of Malian president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and a return to constitutional order in the West African nation.
Part of the statement released by the state House Abuja reads: “President Keita and other detainees should be released unconditionally and with immediate effect,” the Nigerian leader said.
“Today, Mali has not only descended into political chaos but also socio-economic and security disaster with potentially tragic consequences to Mali and the sub-region,” he explained.
“The efforts of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, for wider regional and continental consultations, especially on the possibility of detaching ECOWAS and AU troops with the UN Mission in Mali, to protect State Institutions and also act as the first layer of defence in the country to help preserve and protect lives and property.” will not be in vain as Nigeria is fully in support of every move to move the continent forward.”
While commending the African Union, the UN and other international bodies for condemning the coup in Mali, he called on them to work with ECOWAS in the restoration of peace to the country.
“ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN should not stand by, while the situation deteriorates,” he said.
“Thus far, their strong statements of condemnation are sincerely appreciated and I urge them to continue to walk this route together with us until sanity returns to Mali with the restoration of Civil Administration.”
According to President Buhari, the removal of Malian president could cause devastating consequences” for the country and the West African sub-region.
He said the chaos in that country can also Mar the peace and security of West Africa at Large.
The Nigerian Leader thereby called on the Unconstitutional authority in Mali to restore peace and bring back constitutional order, and stability with immediate effect.