Ghana is getting ready to host a consultative meeting to propose solutions to the political crises in Mali amid a current military rule.

The meeting has been convened by the newly elected Chairman for the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) President Nana Akufo-Addo.

This has become necessary following a military coup that forced the elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign.

The event is scheduled to come off on Tuesday, September 15 at the Peduase Lodge in Aburi.

Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey revealed this a press briefing held by the Information Ministry, Sunday.

She said the meeting is part of Ghana’s responsibility as Chair of the Community.

“Trade and development  cannot thrive in an environment of insecurity hence the need for the sustenance of regional peace and security, democracy and good governance and cooperation among member states,” she said.

She said the state of political instability in Mali serves as a threat to the entire region hence must be dealt with appropriately.

This meeting joins a host of other efforts by the African body to restore constitutional rule in the country.

Other heads of Ecowas member states are expected to attend the meeting in Accra.

The Minister further disclosed that the military juntas who are currently at the helm of affairs in the country will also join the meeting, together with civil society members who led demonstrations before the government was toppled.

“The current situation in Mali may encourage Jihadists to undertake more attack that will further destabilize the region. That is the reason why Ecowas has deployed efforts to address the situation since it began in June 2020,” Shirley explained.

Due to the dissolution of the Malian government, they have no official representation in Ecowas hence the aforementioned stakeholders will join the discussion o their behalf.

The expected outcome of the consultative meeting is to bring to send Mali back to constitutional rule withing 12 months to

Background

On the morning of 18 August 2020, soldiers began firing bullets into the air at a military base in Kati, a town 15 kilometres away from the capital of Mali.

After moving into the capital, the mutineers arrested Minister of Finance Abdoulaye Daffe, the Chief of Staff of the National Guard Mahamane Touré  and Moussa Timbiné and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Prime Minister, Boubou Cissé, appealed for dialogue with them but they insisted to have sincere frustrations.

Later, a spokesman for the M5-RFP opposition coalition welcomed their detention, describing it as a "popular insurrection".

The President and other official were arrested and detained. They were taken to the military camp in Kati where the uprising began.

News of the coup spread causing hundreds of protesters to gather at Bamako's Independence Monument and also set a building belonging to the Ministry of Justice ablaze.

So far, it is not clear how many soldiers took part coup nor who the leader is.

This came amid ongoing protests in the country which started since 5 June, where protesters called for the resignation of President Keïta.

They were displeased with the management of the ongoing insurgency, alleged government corruption and a floundering economy. During these protests, some people died while over 100 sustained various injuries.