Political crisis in Mali: assessment of the visit of Nigerian mediator Goodluck Jonathan

(illustration) The ECOWAS mediator, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan welcomed by Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cissé during a visit to Bamako, July 23, 2020. Press Service of Prime Ministry / Handout via REUTERS

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The mediator of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the Malian crisis left the Malian capital rather satisfied, even if the Malian opposition did not accede to his request for a meeting with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

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with our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel

For five days, the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan met the President of the Republic and delegations from the Majority Parties and the June 5 Movement (opposition). He also met with religious leaders. 

If Imam Mahmoud Dicko, pivot of the Malian opposition remains essential, the entourage of Goodluck Jonathan believes that the entry on the scene of other Malian religious leaders to help resolve the crisis is yielding results.

For example, the religious leader of the Malian locality of Nioro, Bouyé Haïdara, very influential in Malian political life - to whom the ECOWAS mediator visited -, pledged to ask everyone to accept appeasement.

Today we visited Sheikh Mohamed Ould Cheikne, the well-respected Sheriff of Nioro. I'm encouraged by his message of peace & the determination of other leaders like him, to believe that the protracted political crisis in Mali will soon be resolved.
- GEJ pic.twitter.com/eZrDhkJnZM

  Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) August 12, 2020

To read also : In Mali, Goodluck Jonathan satisfied with his interview with the religious Haïdara Bouyé

Another religious leader, Chérif Ousmane Madani Haidara, president of the High Islamic Council of Mali, is also coming back to the forefront to resolve the political crisis.

Another reason for satisfaction for the former Nigerian president is the progress in resolving issues related to the contested legislative elections. During his stay in Bamako, he attended the installation of the new Constitutional Court, and the future of the 30 deputies whose election is contested is now on the table.

Goodluck Jonathan still leaves on a half failure: an interview between President IBK and the opposition canceled. The Malian opponents had set conditions to go to this meeting which were not met.

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  • Mali
  • Goodluck Jonathan

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