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Ghana is preparing to host a consultative meeting to propose solutions to the political crisis in Mali amid the current military regime.
The meeting has been called by the newly elected president of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), Nana Akufo-Addo.
This has become necessary after a military coup that forced President-elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign.
The event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15 at the Peduase Lodge in Aburi.
Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey revealed this at a press conference held by the Information Ministry on Sunday.
He said that the meeting is part of Ghana’s responsibility as Community President.
“Trade and development cannot prosper in an environment of insecurity, hence the need to maintain regional peace and security, democracy and good governance and cooperation among member states,” he said.
He said that the state of political instability in Mali constitutes a threat to the entire region, so it must be dealt with appropriately.
This meeting joins a series of other efforts by the African body to restore constitutional order in the country.
Other heads of Ecowas member states are expected to attend the meeting in Accra.
The minister further revealed that the military junta that is currently in charge of affairs in the country will also join the meeting, along with members of civil society who led demonstrations before the government was overthrown.
“The current situation in Mali may encourage jihadists to launch more attacks that will further destabilize the region. That is why Ecowas has made efforts to address the situation since it started in June 2020, ”Shirley explained.
Due to the dissolution of the Malian government, they have no official representation in Ecowas, so the above-mentioned stakeholders will join the discussion on their behalf.
The expected outcome of the consultative meeting is to return Mali to constitutional rule within 12 months to
Background
On the morning of August 18, 2020, soldiers began firing bullets into the air at a military base in Kati, a city 15 kilometers from the capital of Mali.
After moving to the capital, the mutineers arrested Finance Minister Abdoulaye Daffe, National Guard Chief of Staff Mahamane Touré and Moussa Timbiné, and the President of the National Assembly.
Prime Minister Boubou Cissé asked for dialogue with them, but they insisted on having sincere frustrations.
Subsequently, a spokesman for the opposition coalition M5-RFP welcomed his arrest and described it as a “popular insurrection”.
The president and another official were arrested and detained. They were taken to the Kati military camp where the uprising began.
News of the coup spread causing hundreds of protesters to gather at the Bamako Independence Monument and also set fire to a building belonging to the Ministry of Justice.
So far, it is not clear how many soldiers participated in the coup or who is the leader.
This came amid ongoing protests in the country that began on June 5, where protesters called for the resignation of President Keïta.
They were displeased with the ongoing insurgency management, alleged government corruption, and a reeling economy. During these protests, some people died and more than 100 suffered various injuries.
