The Togolese president was asked by the Malian transitional authorities to visit with his peers in West Africa for a possible end to the protracted impasse between Bamako and the regional grouping.
More than a month after accepting the role of mediator in the Malian crisis, Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbé, has succeeded in bridging the gap between the military in power in Bamako and Ecowas.
According to Mali’s Foreign minister, Abdoulaye Diop, West African leaders have accepted the 24-month transition timetable by the junta before the holding of elections that should allow the return of civilians to power in March 2024.
If the sanctions are still maintained, he said, it is because “certain details” remain to be finalised such as the presentation of a detailed timetable and the establishment of a joint monitoring committee.
According to the Malian leader, these two prerequisites will be settled before the ECOWAS summit on 3 July.
If the sanctions were to be lifted, Gnassingbé, the longest-serving head of state in the sub-region (17 years in power), would undoubtedly enjoy “a resounding diplomatic success.”
The Togolese leader has always campaigned for a lifting of sanctions against Mali, winning over the Malian leadership.
“We have, on behalf of the president of the transition, asked President Faure Gnassingbé (…) to facilitate dialogue with regional actors and more broadly dialogue with the entire international community to find a compromise that could allow us to get out of the crisis,” said Mr. Diop, while visiting Lomé, the Togolese capital.
According to him, the situation in which Mali finds itself, “requires that we show political maturity”.
He was meeting the Togolese president.
One month later, a happy ending to the Malian crisis may ensue to the great relief of the population.
CD/lb/as/APA