Mali’s Goita, Goodluck Jonathan in Transition Talks

Nigeria’s Ex- President, Goodluck Jonathan has held a meeting with the head of Mali’s junta Colonel Assimi Goita in Bamako in an attempt to save the country’s fragile transition.

Goodluck Jonathan is ECOWAS’ envoy for Mali. Tuesday’s trip is Jonathan’s second in two weeks.

Goita swore in on Monday as the country’s President, just two weeks after transition President Bah Ndaw, resigned and that earned a suspension and condemnation from the African Union.

ECOWAS delegation leader, Jean- Claude Brou Kassi reiterated that the commitment of ECOWAS has accompanied the transition process so that elections are held according to the already established schedule by the Malian authorities.

Goita has vowed to adhere to the old transition schedule, which prescribes elections next February.

The Sahel country’s second coup in nine months has threatened to upset a return to civilian rule just as activists and political parties warn that the army is keen on dominating power with little interest in a democratic dispensation.