The ECOWAS mediator, Goodluck Jonathan left Bamako on Sunday without an agreement with the Malian junta on a date for the organization of elections.
The former Nigerian President made a two-day visit to Mali to try, once again, to agree with the transitional authorities on an electoral timetable, with a view to a return to constitutional order. The presidential and legislative elections, initially scheduled for the end of February, have not been held.
Corn it is still without result that Goodluck Jonathan left Bamako on Sunday. In a statement, the envoy simply said that he had had in-depth discussions with a government delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He also reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS to facilitate an agreement for the restoration of constitutional order. At the end of February, the regional organization called for elections to be held within 12 to 16 months.
No compromise
For their part, the Malian authorities regretted the lack of compromise. In a statement, the government spokesperson highlights the efforts ” ultimate granted by the president of the transition. Assimi Goita agreed to revise the timeline from 36 months to 29 months, then made a final concession at 24 months.
This new deadline incompressible in the eyes of the authorities of Mali “did not receive the consent of the ECOWAS mediator. A decision that regret the Malian government. ” Obviously, ECOWAS has still not sufficiently taken into account the complexity of the issues facing Mali. “Adds the government spokesperson.
The sub-regional organization therefore remains on its position and specifies that an agreement ” will enable the measures taken by ECOWAS to be lifted against Mali. But according to a source close to the discussions, she would not be against a slightly longer transition, led by a government of national unity.