The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday named Nigeria’s immediate past president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a special envoy for Mali with a view to resolving the worsening socio-political situation in Mali.
As part of his duties, the former Nigerian leader is to convene a series of talks with President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition bigwigs, civil society as well as religious bodies.
The letter of appointment signed by ECOWAS president, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou to Jonathan reads: “Given your position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great role and contributions your tenure offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, I have the honour, in consultation with the Chair of the Authority, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, to communicate to you, the decision to appoint you as ECOWAS Special Envoy for the sociopolitical crisis in Mali.”
Mali has been engulfed in political unrest following the outcome of the elections conducted in March and April, local displeasure over the current administration’s handling of insurgency and unstable economy.
