I don’t want to be president again- Mali ex-leader as ECOWAS mission turns back
Former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is reported to have declined an ECOWAS push to reinstate him after the military coup that toppled his government last week.
The ECOWAS delegation in Mali on a reinstatement mission was greeted with massive public show of support for Keita’s ouster.
The delegation led by Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with Keita and certified that he was in good health. The delegation’s focus appeared to have shifted from Keita’s reinstatement to his release and subsequent flight outside the country.
Faced with massive public demonstration against Keita’s leadership, he made some concessions, but they did not douse the public calls for his resignation. A group of military officers led by Col Asimini Goita took advantage of the stalemate and staged a coup to arrest President Keita and a number of his officials.
Days later Keita announced his resignation in a nationwide address that looked genuine and devoid of duress. Keita declared in the resignation announcement that he did not want any blood shed for his return to power.
Despite the resignation the ECOWAS leadership sent a delegation to Bamako to negotiate Keita’s return to power. But in a meeting with the delegation, Keita appears to be resigned to the reality that he is no longer wanted as Mali’s leader and has thus declared his intention to remain a private citizen.
The military has also declared its intention to return the country to democratically elected president as soon as it can although no time table was given.
The ECOWAS delegation is now negotiating Keita’ release and the destination where he will be flown to.
Thanks
Ecowas delegation is childish, they have a long way to go. The junta are in power ,the masses wellcome them, the way forward is Paramount, not reinstating a rejected and failed president. Let the junta present what and why they took over .The rest is for Ecowas to asked when power will be handed to democratically elected govt. Ecowas is to see to a free and fair election.
when will some of the African president will learn, when people who voted you in. don’t want you boldly step down instead of forcing you office of president is not a birth right.
I personally Accord with the Malian military as they dethroned their Democratic president because citizens has already have no confidence with him any more. Pls Ecowas should push more agreement with military to rule only a year and six month to conduct a fresh civilian Democratic election to enable Malian citizens enjoy democracy rule. Because history of leadership military haven’t help matters in African continent
For God’s sake, how will you accost a junta who has just plotted a successful coup and taken over power? Telling him that you want to reinstate an ousted president. It can’t be possible. To be honest, that African Mission headed by Good Luck Jonathan cannot handle African’s intractable problems. The Mission should be overhauled and injected with people with proven leadership qualities and intuitive knowledge to deal with African political issues.
The ECOWAS emmissaries have not performed below expectations. The objective is to return power to democracy as soon as possible and also protect the ousted and the citizens. The deligation is high-powered, the choice that was carefully made by the experienced body. Goodluck Jonathan is a trusted and peace-loving African leader without sentiment.
I pledge peace.
The Malians accept the coup. They welcome the Army.. Why are other people worrying themselves?
Malians know what they want,so pls let them be.
Amicable approach as being undertaken remains a very good option. All steps to be taken should be seriously and genuinely tailored towards a peaceful and prosperous Mali devoid of any turmoil or rancor. The first approach would have been getting the side of the people first and like someone wrote, “not to foist, for any reason someone or something that may have degraded the lives of the people. Goodluck to ECOWAS and more importantly the Malians
It’s obvious Malians are dissatisfied with Mr Boubacar Keita’s administration. No need negotiating for his reinstatement. The message is clear! Malians want a change, so be it! I think UN, AU and ECOWAS should respect the will of the Malians. They should rather focus on the smooth return to democracy in Mali. The Junta must not replicate the mistakes of Mr Keita’s administration. The reason (s) for ousting Mr Keita’s government must be realised. Failure to achieve this will amount to conspiracy against Mr Keita’s government. The UN, AU and ECOWAS should support Malians in realising a better and improved Mali.
I support military all the way jare
Augustine Njoku. Good omen for Malian,I support their will, allow the military to organize election for a period of one year to two year and hand over to Democratic government
Why should ECOWAS try force rejected president on people? He is gone, he is gone. Fresh ideas should be welcomed. The peace makers should make sure that former president is no t connected