Nigeria's Ex President Jonathan Get ECOWAS Appointment

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

As a Special Envoy, Mr Jonathan is to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society as well as religious organisations, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in the West African country.

Speaking ahead of his scheduled departure for Bamako on Wednesday, Mr Jonathan promised to do his best to ensure that the mission achieves the desired result.

According to his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Mr Jonathan also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the support of the Nigerian Government, including providing an aircraft and other logistics needed to make the assignment successful.

Former President Jonathan, who had led peace missions to many crises-ridden nations in the past, is expected to deploy his enormous goodwill within the continent to facilitate the process of restoring peace in the troubled nation.

The West African nation has been hit by protests, sparked by the outcome of parliamentary elections in March and April, perceived discontent over the government’s handling of Mali’s jihadist insurgency and worsening economic situation.

The former President’s appointment was communicated to him in a letter signed by Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission.

from premiumtimes