President Akufo-Addo has assured that members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are committed to restoring democratic rule in Mali.

Speaking at an emergency summit held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra , the Chairman of ECOWAS said that the recent happenings in Mali have, again, raised anxiety levels in the West African Sub-Region.

He explained that it has “somewhat, shaken the hope many had of a peaceful, successful transition, which will result in the return to a democratic government in Mali, and, ultimately, and hopefully, the political stability of the country.”

However, President Akufo-Addo said that the Heads of States are resolute in finding a peaceful solution and restore democracy and stability in the country.

“In this respect we must critically examine the dynamics of the situation and make informed decisions,” he added.

His comment comes after the military in Mali took over power again nine months after the first coup in May 2020 which led to the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in the wake of mass anti-government protests,

The army led by Colonel Assimi Goita, on Monday, detained the new President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane just hours after the announcement of a new cabinet that excluded two key military leaders.

Colonel Assimi Goita, who led the August 2020 coup and was the interim Vice President in the transitional administration formed in late September, 2020 with the task of steering the country towards full civilian rule, said he was not consulted on the reshuffle, which was announced amid rising social tensions including a general strike called by Mali’s main trade union.

Taken to a military base, Ndaw, a retired military officer, and Ouane resigned on Wednesday, May 26 and were later released from detention.

Mali's constitutional court on Friday, May 28 declared Assimi Goita, the colonel who led a military coup this week while serving as Vice President, to be the new interim president. 

President Akufo-Addo stated that in view of the gravity of this situation, he asked the Mediator, former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan to lead a high-level mission to Mali, which included the Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, and the President of the Commission, to assess the situation.

The team, he said, will discuss the situation and the discoveries made in a close door meeting which includes a delegation from Mali to help in the resolution.

President Akufo-Addo stated that ECOWAS remains resolute in its determination to find lasting solution to the political crisis in Mali.

About fifteen West African Heads of State and state officials are in Ghana to attend the Extraordinary ECOWAS Summit being held in Accra.

Some dignitaries present include; General Umaro Sissoco Embaló from Guinea Bissau, President of Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, Cote D’lvoire’s Alassane Ouattara, the President of Gambia, Adama Barrow.

Others are Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, President of Burkina Faso, Marc Christian Kabore, Mohamed Bazoum, President of Niger, Colonel Assimi Goita from Mali, President of Liberia George Manneh Oppong Weah, President of Togo, Faure Essizimna Gnassingbe.