Mali: Goodluck Jonathan in Bamako, a quick, discreet and decisive visit

Goodluck Jonathan, ECOWAS mediator in the Malian crisis, on May 25, 2021 in Bamako.

REUTERS - AMADOU KEITA

Text by: David Baché

3 mins

The ECOWAS mediator for Mali, former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, arrived in Bamako on Thursday 23 June in the afternoon and left this Friday at midday.

Yet another visit, as quick as it was discreet: neither ECOWAS nor the Malian transitional authorities had wished to communicate officially on the arrival of the mediator.

Who himself only confirmed at midday, at the time of his departure and on social networks, that he had indeed met the President of the Transition, Colonel Assimi Goïta, as well as other officials Malians.

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's visit to Bamako

came on the home stretch before the July 3 summit.

In nine days, the Heads of State of ECOWAS will decide on a possible lifting of the economic and financial sanctions which have hit Mali since January.

However, many new elements have arisen since the previous summit on 4 June.

New electoral law

At the beginning of this month, Mali unilaterally extended the transition for two years – until March 2024 – by presidential decree, without waiting for the end of the negotiations, and without notifying the mediator.

The subject has necessarily been discussed, but Goodluck Jonathan reserved his comments for Colonel Assimi Goïta.

At the time, the Heads of State of ECOWAS did not appreciate being presented with a fait accompli, even if this option was indeed one of the avenues considered.

Just a week ago, the National Transitional Council, which currently serves as the legislative assembly, passed a

.

Will this be seen as progress towards the organization of future elections?

Or as a maneuver, a trap?

Civil society having alerted to the possibility offered to the transitional president,

In any case, the text is still waiting to be promulgated: it will necessarily be at the heart of the discussions, just like the creation, two weeks ago, of a commission responsible for drafting a new Constitution. 

The government consults...

Another element to take into account, the government begins this Friday a consultation of the political parties and the civil society on the chronogram of the next institutional reforms and on that of the future elections.

It was a request from the political class, finally heard, and an expectation from ECOWAS which wants details and even commitments on the future electoral calendar.

We do not know if the points of view of the political parties will really be taken into account, but it is a new openness on the part of the authorities and a signal addressed to ECOWAS.

It should be noted that it is to the Minister of Territorial Administration, one of the putschist colonels, that these consultations are entrusted.

However, since the arrival at the Primature of

, it was essentially the minister delegated to the Prime Minister, in charge of political and institutional reforms, Fatoumata Sékou Dicko, who took charge of these questions.

Some observers believe that this may also be a signal.

Back in Bamako with members of the ECOWAS mediation team for consultations with the Transition authorities, we held functional talks with President of the Transition HE Col.

Assimi Goita and other senior government officials.

pic.twitter.com/DsH1ERT1Mk

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) June 24, 2022

On his departure, Goodluck Jonathan “

.

A lapidary, encouraging formula, which does not prejudge either the success or the failure of the negotiations in progress.   

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