FG: Detention of Mali’s interim president may derail peacebuilding efforts

The federal government says the detention of Bah N’Daw, Mali’s interim president, may have a negative impact on peacebuilding efforts in the country.

Following a cabinet reshuffle on Monday, N’Daw, as well as Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, and Souleymane Doucoure, the country’s defence minister, were reportedly taken to a military base outside Bamako, capital of Mali.

Reacting to the development on Monday, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), had called for calm and demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of the President and the Prime Minister”, adding that “those who hold them will have to answer for their actions”.

In a statement on Tuesday by Ferdinand Nwoye, spokesperson of ministry of foreign affairs, the federal government condemned the detention of the government officials, and called for their immediate release.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria condemns in strong terms the detention of the duo of interim President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane of Mali,” the statement reads.

“The two key officials in the transitional government of Mali were reportedly taken by soldiers to the Kati Military Camp near the Capital, Bamako, on Monday 24th May, 2021.

“The action is totally unacceptable and might derail the peacebuilding efforts and timetable for the return of democratic governance in Mali. The Federal Government of Nigeria therefore calls for the immediate and unconfitional release of the detained President and prime Minister.

“The key actors and perpetrators of the condemnable act should be aware of the fact that stakeholders in the region and friends of Mali reject any act of coercion of the detained officials, including forced resignations.”

The reported detention is the latest in a series of incidents following the military ouster in August that led to the resignation of Ibrahim Keita as president in August 2020.

Following pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to return power to civilians, the military later handed power to a caretaker government that pledged to reform the constitution and conduct elections within 18 months.