How Jonathan Secured Release Of Malian President, PM

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts led to the release of the interim President of Mali, Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister, Moctar Ouane by the military.

The action of Jonathan was revealed in a statement titled, ‘Mali’s President, Prime Minister released after Jonathan’s mediation’, signed by Jonathan’s Media Office, on Thursday.

It was disclosed that the interim President and the Prime Minister was released from detention following intervention Jonathan, who is the mediator of the Economic Community of West African States in Mali.

The statement noted that the former Nigeria President travelled to Bamako on Tuesday where he met with the military leaders and other stakeholders following the sudden turn of events in the transition process which led to the detention of the two leaders by the Vice President, Col. Assimi Gotta-led military junta.

The statement read in part, “The mediator and his team had on Wednesday, obtained the commitment of the military leaders to release Ndaw and Ouane, after visiting them at Kati Barracks, near Bamako where they were being held, to ascertain their health condition.

“Before visiting the President and Prime Minister in detention, Jonathan had met with Colonel Gotta where he demanded their unconditional release and urged the authorities to maintain peace and stability which, according to him, are key to the conduct of the transitional process.

“The release of President Ndaw and Prime Minister Ouane early Thursday morning came three days after they were detained and stripped of their powers, nine months after they were appointed to lead the transition government.”