As a way of resolving Mali ‘s ongoing political crisis, the mediation team of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) headed by Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, proposed the establishment of a government of national unity with members drawn from various interest groups in the region, including the ruling party, coalition, opposition parties, civil society.
It also recommended the creation of a technical committee to be set up by ECOWAS to oversee the implementation of the proposed steps, including the reconstruction of the dissolved constitutional court and the resolution of the conflict over 31 legislative seats recently set aside by the defunct constitutional court.
Mr Jonathan, who is the ECOWAS Special Envoy to Mali, led his mediation team on a three-day trip to Mali, which ended on Sunday, 19 July 2020, with a view to seeking a solution to the socio-political crisis in Mali.
The mission’s communique issued at a press conference in Bamako on Sunday stated: “As a matter of urgency, there is the need to put in place a government of national unity, based on consensus and taking into account the recommendations of the Inclusive National Dialogue, the implementation of the Mali Peace and Reconciliation Agreement resulting from the Algiers process.”
According to the document, the new government would have 50% of its members drawn from the governing party, while the opposition and civil society organisations will have 30% and 20% of its membership, respectively.
The Communiqué signed by Mr Jonathan explained further: “A Technical Committee will be put in place by ECOWAS to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the proposed measures. This Committee will comprise representatives of the Government, Parliament, civil society, the Judiciary, Women and Youth associations, and the ECOWAS Representation in Mali.”
While in Bamako, the Mission, which was held in Mali one month after the visit of the ECOWAS Ministerial Mission, held consultations with various stakeholders, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, Imam Mahmoud Dicko, members of the M5-RFP Collation, the majority coalition in Parliament, judges, heads of international agencies, diplomats, members of the Civil Society as well.
Although several stakeholders and interest groups supported the proposed unity government, it is not clear if leaders of the opposition-backed M5 coalition would be part of it, as they continued to insist on the resignation of President Keita, among others demands for the many meetings they had with the Jonathan-led team.
The Mission urged the Malians not to take the laws into their hands, reminding them of the importance of upholding their institutions, “particularly the constitutional means of ascending to power, in conformity with the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. ECOWAS will not tolerate
“The Mediation Mission welcomes the support of the proposed measures by all the stakeholders met, with the exception of the Strategic Committee of the M5-RFP. ECOWAS will monitor the effective implementation of the proposed measures and remain seized of the matter.
“The Mission reiterates ECOWAS’ solidarity with the Government of Mali and the family of Honourable Soumaïla CISSE, President of the Union for the Republic and Democracy party, Leader of the Opposition, whobhas been kidnapped since March 2020. It invites the Malian Government to intensify its efforts to obtain his release without delay.”
In addition, the Mission encourages all stakeholders to engage in dialog and negotiation to resolve the socio-political crisis in good faith and mutual trust with a view to maintaining peace and security in the country.
The Mission, which expressed its condolences to the people and the Government of Mali for the loss of life during the recent demonstrations in Bamako, also condemned all forms of violence and called on all parties to exercise restraint.
It also “urged the authorities to finalise all the investigations into the deaths that occurred during the demonstrations on 10th, 11th and 12th July 2020. These investigations must also extend to all forms of violence and destruction of public buildings, including the
National Assembly, the Office of the Radio and Television of Mali (ORTM), and the High Council of Local Communities, as well as private property, in order to establish all responsibilities with a view to implementing the appropriate sanctions.”
