The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mali's Transitional President, Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane.

In a statement issued Friday, May 28, ECOWAS stated that the request was made when a delegation led by Former Nigerian President and ECOWAS Mediator in the Socio-political crisis in Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, visited to the country.

Other top officials of the delegation were President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

The statement also indicated that the purpose of the Mission was to ascertain the facts that led to the sudden turn of events and hold consultations with all stakeholders, to maintain the peace and stability which are key to the conduct of a successful transitional process in Mali.

It observed that Mr. GoodLuck Jonathan held consultations with Colonel Assimi Goita, Vice President of the Transition Government to consider the most appropriate political exit strategy to the crisis.

The statement further said that the Mediator demanded and met with the detained President of the Transition and the Prime Minister to ascertain their current health condition.

Mali’s interim President and Prime Minister 'resigned', two days after they were arrested by the military. The Vice-President, Assimi Goïta, a 38-year-old army colonel who led a military coup last August, initiated the arrests on Monday May 24, blaming a government reshuffle which kicked out influential military-appointed cabinet ministers.