Dispatch of Delegation to Calm Mali Crisis... "Negotiations with Coup Forces for Constitutional Restoration"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] A high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has arrived in Mali to resolve the political instability following the military coup. They are scheduled to meet with the senior leadership of the coup forces to discuss an immediate return to constitutional order, but negotiations are expected to be difficult as the rebels claim their actions were backed by popular support.

According to the Associated Press on the 22nd (local time), the ECOWAS delegation, representing Mali and 15 other West African countries, arrived in Bamako, the capital of Mali, on the same day. Led by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the ECOWAS delegation plans to meet with the leadership, including Assimi Goita, who has claimed control of the coup forces, to discuss an immediate return to constitutional governance. Upon arrival at Bamako airport in the afternoon, former President Jonathan tweeted, "We will continue to engage with the stakeholders of the Mali coup until lasting peace is achieved."

However, the rebels emphasize that their actions are not a coup but a popular uprising, making negotiations challenging. The previous day in Bamako, thousands of citizens gathered to celebrate the ousting of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita by the rebel forces. Earlier, President Keita announced his resignation and declared the dissolution of the parliament and government while in rebel custody.

ECOWAS is expected to use the international community’s unified condemnation of the coup to pressure the military government. It is also reported that ECOWAS has placed the West African standby force on alert in preparation for the possibility of failed negotiations with the Malian rebels.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.