ECOWAS mediator Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Bamako yesterday, Tuesday 25 May in the afternoon, to try to unblock the crisis caused by the new coup by the Putchists in August 2020. Discussions were held. Started last night last Tuesday in Bamako, between Goodluck Jonathan and his delegation on one side, and on the other, members of the ex-junta.
with our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel
According to a witness, the meeting had a solemn side. The Vice President, Colonel Assimi Goïta, spoke in favor of a pro domo. He addressed the main points of his press release, which was published after the arrest of the caretaker president and his prime minister.
He has a number of complaints against them. For example, the fact that he had not been consulted before the change of government – which for him is a violation of the transitional charter … He also raised the issue of the social crisis, which according to him did not find a solution. . And those responsible are President Bah N’Daw and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, who were placed. ” out of their powers»Yesterday Tuesday 25 May.
After listening carefully to him, the delegation led by Goodluck Jonathan clearly mentioned the possibility for the institution in the sub-region to impose sanctions on the military in particular during an upcoming ad hoc summit for ECOWAS. The soldiers involved in this latest coup are close to the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, beginning the coup on August 18, 2020. The Europeans who “strongly condemned the arrest of the President of Mali and his Prime Minister”, according to President Macron yesterday, at their summit, could quickly follow the imposition of sanctions.
This first meeting ended late in the evening. And on Wednesday, a meeting is planned between the same delegation and the interim president and his prime minister fired yesterday. Does President Bah Ndaw want to retain power? To give up ? What he says will be crucial for the continuation of discussions with the military and for a way out of the crisis.
What state of mind are junta officials in?
Vice President Assimi Goïta, head of the ex-junta, has slept very little since Monday, the day his men were arrested by the president and his prime minister. His lively agenda is kept by his closest associates, Captain Demba N’Daw, Chief of Staff with the rank of Minister. It is generally this discreet man who gives him the many foreign personalities who want to hear from him on the phone.
According to our information, Colonel Assimi Goïta is striving to reassure everyone of his intentions: in particular the organization of the 2022 general election as planned. Some callers think so, others are skeptical.
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Two other figures from ex-junta are very active. They are the former Minister of Defense, Colonel Sadio Camara and the former Minister of Security Modiko Koné, kicked out of government during the recent transition. With Colonel Malick Diaw, President of the National Transitional Council, these officers want to be calm in the face of the situation and united in the face of Malians and the international community. Civil counselors provide language for visitors. These senior ex-junta officers, like others, have another concern, which is to maintain cohesion within the troops.
Also read : in Mali, civil society condemns a “coup”, UNTM cancels strike
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