Thread by @NGRPresident

President @MBuhari was in Accra, Ghana, yesterday, to attend the 6th Extraordinary Session of the Authority of @ecowas_cedeao Heads of State, on the political situations in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea. #PMBatECOWAS #PMBinGhana

President Buhari expressed concern that since the last Summit of @ecowas_cedeao leaders on March 25 this year, not much has been achieved in terms of having an acceptable time-table for the conduct of elections to restore democratic rule in the three countries.

The President noted that although the military leadership in Burkina Faso has released President Kabore in line with the request by ECOWAS leaders, further measures must be taken to ensure his safety and full freedom. #PMBatECOWAS

President Buhari warned that the security situation in both Mali and Burkina Faso has reached alarming levels with incessant attacks by extremist groups on the civilian populace and military facilities, aggravating the humanitarian condition in the two countries. #PMBatECOWAS

President @MBuhari called on the Authority to revisit the report presented by former President @GEJonathan, the ECOWAS Mediator on Mali, on a transition timetable for the country.

President Buhari noted that Jonathan had recommended a 16-month transitional timeframe “as well as his further personal appeal and observation to us to give the military leadership in Mali up to 18 months for the conduct of election, starting from March 2022.”

“Furthermore, Nigeria is also calling on the Authority to consider the proposal earlier made for the Chair to personally visit Bamako and present this proposal.” — President @MBuhari #PMBatECOWAS

“Nigeria equally welcomes the magnanimous offer by President @Macky_Sall, Chair of the Assembly of @_AfricanUnion, to accompany H.E. President @NAkufoAddo to Bamako for the purpose.” — President @MBuhari #PMBatECOWAS

“From our findings, we are certain the high-level visit proposed would be welcomed by the military leadership & would achieve the needed consensus. At the same time, the region must be ready to provide the needed support to Mali to return to democratic rule as soon as possible.”

On the situation in Guinea and Burkina Faso, President @MBuhari expressed concern that, till date, their proposed timeframes are not in tandem with the expectations of the regional leaders as well as their respective citizens. #PMBatECOWAS

President Buhari urged the military authorities in Burkina Faso and Guinea to renew their determination and immediately provide acceptable timeframes for the return to democracy in their respective countries. #PMBatECOWAS

He announced that Nigeria fully supports any action, including imposition of further sanctions that the Authority may adopt to compel the military leaderships in the two countries to submit an acceptable electoral timetable. #PMBatECOWAS

“Nevertheless, there is need for @ecowas_cedeao to continue to engage the military leaderships and key stakeholders in Burkina Faso and Guinea in order to reach an agreeable understanding, especially on the transition timeframes.” — President @MBuhari #PMBatECOWAS