Reinstate Keita, ECOWAS tells Malian military

Reinstate Keita, ECOWAS tells Malian military

By Tasie Theodore

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has asked the military in Mali to reinstate ousted President Ibrahim Keita to his office.

This was the decision reached at the close of the emergency session convened on Thursday to discuss the intervention of the military in the lingering crisis in that Sahelian nation;

The statement of the group was read by President Mahamoudou Issoufou of Niger and the sub-regional grouping is also sending a delegation to Bamako to hold talks with the military leaders.

The response of the military was yet to be determined as at press time but feelers are that they may not readily budge.

Mali has been wracked by civil disturbances and political unease on account of widespread disaffection over the way President Keita has been running the country.

Things came to a head following the release of the results of the parliamentary polls held in the country at the beginning of the year which many believed was not a true reflection of the poll. Protests subsequently broke out and the country, which is also embroiled in jihadist violence and a devastating drought, has tottered along without any clear insights into how the crisis would be resolved until the military stepped in, Tuesday.

Now the nation and the sub-region wait to see whether ECOWAS and the world would go the extra mile now to not only contain the crisis, but also help chart the way forward for lasting peace and stability.