Accra, Aug. 20, GNA – Ghana has joined other ECOWAS Member States and the International Community to condemn Mali’s military mutiny.
The incident had resulted in the arrest and subsequent resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, dissolution of his government and the national Assembly.
Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Thursday, said this, when she represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the virtual Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
President Akufo-Addo, could not attend the Summit due to urgent national engagements.
Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, expressed appreciation to President Mahamadou Issoufou, Chairman, ECOWAS Authority, for convening the extraordinary summit on the political crisis in Mali in a timely manner.
“The event in Mali is taking place at a time when the country is experiencing socio-economic and political difficulties, complicated by security threats posed by jihadists and extremists which have been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The security situation in Mali poses grave danger to regional security if not urgently and effectively managed,” she said.
The Minister said the situation had the potential to escalate jihadist activities in the country and the Sahel region in general.
She noted that it also had the potential to destabilize the region and further undermine development within Mali.
She said Ghana reiterates its solidarity with the resolve and strong sanctions imposed by ECOWAS Commission and the African Union and the positions expressed by the United Nations Security Council as well as other International Organisations in rejecting unconstitutional change of government in Mali.
“The Government of Ghana adds its voice to the calls for the immediate release of President Keita and senior officials of his government,” she said.
“We also support the proposal for the immediate dispatch of an ECOWAS delegation to Mali to ensure the return to normalcy, peace and order as well as Constitutional rule.”
GNA