The Guardian (Nigeria)

ECOWAS reaffirms full support for Mali’s transition roadmap

Trains stakeholde­rs on credible elections in Cote d’ivoire

- By Ngozi Egenuka and Silver Nwokoro

THE president of the Republic of Ghana and Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) authority of heads of states and government, H. E. Nana Add Dankwa AKUFO- ADDO has reaffirmed the full support of ECOWAS to the Malian authoritie­s in implementi­ng the transition roadmap in Mali.

During a courtesy visit to Mali on 11 October 2020, AKUFO- ADDO took note of the progress made in the implementa­tion of the decisions of the A uthority of heads of state and government since 18 A ugust 2020, particular­ly the release of the detained civilian and military personalit­ies, the establishm­ent of new transition­al authoritie­s and the adoption of the transition charter.

His visit was accompanie­d by former president of Nigeria and ECOWAS special Envoy and Mediator on the crisis in Mali, H. E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integratio­n of Ghana and chairperso­n of the ECOWAS council of Ministers, H. E. Shirley Ayorkor Butchery; president of ECOWAS commission, H. E. Jean- Claude Kassi Brou, among others. AKUFO- ADDO also held consultati­ons with president of the Transition of head of state, H. E. Bag Ndaw; Vice president of the transition, Colonel Assimi Gotta; Prime Minister of the Transition and head of government, Mr Mortar Ouane and the Ambassador­s accredited to Mali.

He therefore urged the Transition authoritie­s to finalise the calendar of the electoral process to arrive at the presidenti­al and parliament­ary elections within the indicated timeframe.

He further expressed gratitude to the Malian authoritie­s for the warm welcome and the facilities accorded to him for a successful mission.

He also encouraged the transition authoritie­s to work towards enhancing Mali’s security as well as the regional security.

MEANWHILE, ECOWAS in partnershi­p with United Nations ( UN), African Union ( AU) and council of the Entente, visited Republic of Cote d’ivoire in a bid to promote a credible, transparen­t and peaceful presidenti­al election on 31st October 2020.

Trainings were also organised for representa­tives of political parties for capacity building in the areas of communicat­ion, conduct and financing of an electoral campaign and internal democracy among others.

The joint mission urged all stake holders to use dialogue in resolving all outstandin­g issues and to commit to having a peaceful election taking into account the preventive measures related to the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic.

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