President Nana Akufo-Addo has commiserated with the government and people of Mali, following the death of a former president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

In a statement addressed to Head of the Transitional Government of Mali, Col. Assimi Goita, Mr. Akufo-Addo said he learned about the news of President Keita’s death with sadness.

He noted that “the late former President will be remembered as a respected Statesman of Mali and the ECOWAS region. His demise is a sad day for the people of Mali and the ECOWAS Community.”

“On behalf of the people of Ghana and the ECOWAS Community, and on my own behalf, I extend deep condolences to you, the people of Mali, his widow and family,” the statement added.

The ousted President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, died aged 76, family and former colleagues say.

Two years ago, he suffered a minor stroke but the cause of his death on Sunday was not immediately clear.

Mr. Keïta led Mali for seven years until 2020, when he was ousted in a coup after huge anti-government protests over his handling of jihadist unrest.

An economic crisis and disputed elections also fuelled the demonstrations against his rule.

Mr. Keïta was involved in politics for more than three decades, serving as a socialist prime minister from 1994 to 2000.