Mali’s interim leader grateful to President Akufo-Addo
Mali’s transitional President, Mr Bah N’daw, has expressed gratitude to the President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the role he played in helping to resolve the political impasse in that country.
At a meeting held at the Koulouba Palace, the seat of the Malian Presidency, yesterday, President N’daw applauded the decision by President Akufo-Addo to convene a meeting to resolve the deadlock in Mali immediately after his election as ECOWAS Chair.
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Peduase Meeting
According to the Interim Malian President, it was as a result of President Akufo-Addo’s proactiveness and the decisions reached at the Peduase Meeting of the ECOWAS Authority that resulted in the appointment of an Interim President, a Vice-President and a Prime Minister for Mali.
“Following that development, the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State has also lifted the sanctions imposed on Mali in the aftermath of the military takeover in order to support the hand over to civilian rule and the process of restoring full democracy to Mali,” a statement from the Presidency said.
With the transition expected to last a period of 18 months, President N’daw indicated to President Akufo-Addo that he had appointed 25 people to steer the affairs of Mali, with the objective of returning it onto the path of multi-party democracy.
Civilian rule
For his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked the leadership of the interim government of Mali for the welcome accorded him and his delegation, and for their decision to work hand-in-hand with ECOWAS towards returning the country fully to civilian rule.
He assured President N’daw of the unalloyed co-operation of ECOWAS towards the progress and development of Mali, and ultimately the enhancement of the standards of the Malian people.
President Akufo-Addo also held private meetings with the Vice-President, Colonel Assimi Goita, and the Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane, after his meeting with the Interim President.
He also held meetings with members of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as Ghanaians resident in Mali.
Background
Mr N’daw, a retired Colonel Major and former Minister of Defence, was sworn in as President of the Transition on August 25, this year, before the Supreme Court, along with Colonel Assimi Goïta, head of the junta, as Vice-President of the Transition in charge of Defence and Security.
Following that move, a dozen political and military figures arrested during the coup — including former Prime Minister Boubou Cissé — have been released.