President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, urged the transitional government in Mali to do everything within the tenets of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore constitutional order in the country.
The President gave the charge when he received briefings from a Special Envoy of the Malian Transitional President, Col. Assimi Goïta, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He assured the envoy that Nigeria will do its best to support the country under ECOWAS rules.
Col. Abdoulaye Maiga, Mali’s Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, led the visiting team.
It briefed President Buhari on Conclusions from the National Conference on State-Rebuilding, held in Bamako, from December 27-30, 2021.
Responding to the comprehensive briefing, the President said nobody could love Mali more than Malians themselves.
He counselled that everyone should work within the tenets of ECOWAS, in order to restore constitutional order to the West African country at the shortest possible time.
“I am pleased you have briefed the ECOWAS Chairman too,’’ said President Buhari.
“Nigeria will work within ECOWAS limitations to assist Mali. Every country has its issues.
“We fought our own Civil War before, so we may not know the totality of the internal politics of each country.
“But we will make as much sacrifice as we can for Mali, within ECOWAS requirements.”
The Special Envoy expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s support on bilateral relations, and for the help rendered to the ECOWAS Mediation Team, led by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said the vision of Col. Goita was the speedy return to democracy, adding that Mali wants to review laws guiding elections “and professionalise the process.”
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