Breaking: Great News as Jonathan Secures Release of Mali’s President, Prime Minister
- Goodluck Jonathan has proven himself to be a true international diplomat
- Jonathan's love for Africa recently led him to one of the dangerous nations on the continent, Mali
- The former Nigerian president was instrumental in the release of the nation's president and prime minister
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The release of Mali's president, Bah Ndaw, and the country's prime minister, Moctar Ouane, was made possible on Thursday, May 27, by mediatory efforts of a former Nigerian president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
Jonathan, who is the mediator of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Mali had on Wednesday, May 26, secured the promise of the military junta to release the duo unconditionally, PM News reports.
Source: Twitter
The former Nigerian leader paid a visit to Ndaw and Ouane at Kati Barracks, near Bamako where they were detained by officers loyal to Colonel Assimi Goita, Reuters also reported.
Announcing the release of the president and prime minister, an aide to Goita said:
"The interim president and prime minister were released overnight around 1.30am. We were true to our word."
Arrest and resignation
Earlier, Ndaw and Ouane were forced by the military junta to resign on Wednesday, May 26.
The leaders resigned during mediation efforts on Wednesday, according to Baba Cisse, the special advisor to Goita.
Cisse revealed:
"President Bah Ndaw and his Prime Minister Moctar Ouane have resigned before the arbitrator. Negotiations are underway for their release and the formation of a new government."
Detention
They were detained by soldiers on Monday, May 24. The arrest of the country's interim government officials is following a cabinet reshuffle in the sub-Saharan African country just nine months after its previous leader was toppled by a military coup.
Souleymane Doucoure, Mali's defence minister, was also arrested by soldiers. They were all taken to a military base in Kati outside the country’s capital, Bamako, hours after two members of the military lost their positions in a government reshuffle.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
Diplomatic and government sources revealed that the soldiers who lost their positions were members of the junta that had seized power in the coup.
Source: Legit.ng
