The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), again on Monday
received briefings from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the
Economic Community of West African States Special Envoy to Mali, on the
current situation in the country.
According to a statement by his
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President at
the meeting held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said the priority
in Mali now should be securing the country, which is largely occupied
by terrorists.
The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari receives updates on Mali situation from Special Envoy, Goodluck Jonathan.’
Adesina
said the meeting between the two leaders came ahead of an extraordinary
virtual summit by ECOWAS heads of state and leaders, scheduled for
Friday.
“About two-thirds of Mali is occupied by terrorists, and
it makes common sense to secure the country, rather than pursuing
individual interests,” he quoted Buhari as saying.
The President
was further quoted as saying that the sub-region would take a common
position on the issue when the leaders meet on Friday, hoping that an
amicable and generally acceptable position to all interested parties
would be arrived at.
The presidential aide said Jonathan updated
Buhari on dialogue with the military coup leaders, who are seeking to
stay in power for three years, before holding elections.
Adesina
said Jonathan said the military leaders want ECOWAS to lift sanctions
put in place, as it was already affecting the country, “but we told them
that the authority to do such was only in the hands of ECOWAS heads of
state.”
“They call themselves National Committee for the
Salvation of the People. We asked them to allow ousted President Ibrahim
Boubacar Keita to return to his personal residence, where he would be
given tight security, but they said he could travel abroad, and not
return to answer questions they may have for him.
“We also told
them that what would be acceptable to ECOWAS was an Interim Government,
headed by a civilian or retired military officer, to last for six or
nine months, and maximum of 12 calendar months.
“The Interim
Government would then organise elections to restore full constitutional
order,” Jonathan reportedly told the President.
The former
President was further reported to have disclosed that his team was
allowed to meet with the ousted President, who confirmed that he
resigned voluntarily, adding that he was no longer interested in
returning to his former position.
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