By John Ikani
ECOWAS Special Envoy and former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has ended a two-day visit to Mali without any agreement on a date for elections to return the country to civilian rule.
Jonathan is mediating in Mali on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The West African state was hit hard with sanctions in January after the military junta that first seized power in a 2020 coup proposed extending its rule until 2025.
The interim authorities held negotiations with the Special ECOWAS Envoy in Bamako on Friday and Saturday.
Jonathan proposed a shorter 24-month transition period, which was rejected, the government said in a statement.
“The government of Mali regrets the lack of compromise at this stage,” it said, adding that it remained open to agreeing a solution.
There was no immediate comment from ECOWAS, whose leaders have said they will gradually ease the sanctions, which include border closures and restrictions on financial transactions, if an acceptable timetable for elections is proposed.
