Mali: Buhari, Other ECOWAS Leaders Hold Extraordinary Summit

An Extraordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States has begun.

The key agenda of the emergency virtual session is the unfolding political development in Mali.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is participating via videoconference from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Those attending physically with Buhari are the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada; and the Minster of Defence, Maj.-Gen Bashir Magashi (retd.).

The National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd.); and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Abubakar Ahmed Rufai, are also participating.

Recall that after Tuesday’s coup in Mali, which led to the forced resignation of both the Prime Minister and the President, ECOWAS leaders immediately summoned the extraordinary summit to discuss the development.

The sub-regional group also closed the borders of member states to Mali, in addition to other measures expected to be announced after the summit.