ECOWAS virtual summit on Mali crisis holds July 27

ECOWAS has called a virtual extraordinary Summit on Monday, 27 July on the crisis in Mali following inclusive talks held by five regional leaders with the Malian government and opposition in Bamako on Thursday.

The visit by Niger President Mahamadu Issoufou, current chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State with his colleagues from Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal failed to produce a breakthrough.

The opposition has rejected the proposals by the first ECOWAS peace mission led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, including the setting up of a National Unity Government, insisting on the resignation of beleaguered President Ibrahim Keita.