Mali: Goodluck Jonathan in Bamako for a possible lifting of ECOWAS sanctions

The former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, now ECOWAS mediator.

REUTERS / Afolabi Sotunde

Text by: RFI Follow

3 min

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Bamako on Wednesday September 23 for a 48-hour visit.

A week after the Accra summit with the Malian junta, the ECOWAS mediator comes to see if the conditions are met to lift the sanctions imposed by the West African community after the coup d'état of August 18.

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With our special correspondent in Bamako,

Goodluck Jonathan's visit was eagerly awaited in Mali.

The former Nigerian president finally arrived in Bamako this Wednesday, September 23 in the afternoon.

His stay here represents a major challenge for the country: the sanctions imposed by the ECOWAS after the coup of August 18 are beginning to weigh on the populations and public finances.

On Tuesday,

, during the

, called for their lifting for " 

 ".

But ECOWAS conditioned this lifting of sanctions on the appointment of two civilians as President of the Republic and Prime Minister of the transition.

We returned to Bamako this afternoon to continue consultations with key stakeholders as Malian authorities begin the implementation of their plans for the restoration of a civilian administration.

The @ecowas_cedeao mediation team expects to have fruitful engagements.

- GEJ pic.twitter.com/w92rOw7KMa

  Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) September 23, 2020

ECOWAS wants Prime Minister with a strictly civilian profile this time

Of course, the president's step was taken on Monday, and hailed as an important moment.

But ECOWAS is now waiting for a Prime Minister.

And she wants a strictly civilian personality this time, without a military background, as is the case with 

.

On the evening of the coup, on August 18, the junta promised a civil transition, before trying to convince the West African community to accept a military transition.

This is a red line not to be crossed for ECOWAS.

A undoubtedly decisive meeting will take place on Thursday, September 24: Goodluck Jonathan is due to meet with Colonel Assimi Goïta, the head of the junta, then the new president Bah N'Daw.

The new prime minister is not expected to be known until Friday, as he is due to be appointed by the new president.

However, it will not be invested until Friday, precisely.

It is on that day that ECOWAS could decide on a possible lifting of sanctions.

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• Mali

• ECOWAS

• Goodluck Jonathan

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