Goodluck Jonathan appointed ECOWAS special envoy in Mali

Goodluck Jonathan

Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Former Nigeria President, has been appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

 This was made known in a statement on Tuesday by Jonathan’s media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, 

As a special envoy, the former President is expected to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in Mali, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, opposition leaders, civil society as well as religious organisations, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in the West African country.

Jonathan is to depart for Bamako the Malian capital on Wednesday, he thanked Nigerian government for the support of providing an aircraft and other logistics needed to make the assignment successful.

He is expected to facilitate dialogue with all principal stakeholders in the West African country, including President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, civil society, religious organisations and opposition leaders, towards resolving the worsening socio-political situation in Mali.

Meanwhile the appointment was communicated to him in a letter signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

It said: “Given your position as the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the great role and contributions your tenure offered to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in our region, I have the honour, in consultation with the Chair of the Authority, H.E. Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, to communicate to you, the decision to appoint you as ECOWAS Special Envoy for the sociopolitical crisis in Mali.”

Goodluck Jonathan

Former President Jonathan calls for electoral reforms

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday called for electoral reforms to
strengthen the nation’s democracy.

He said the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and election petition tribunals should not be handled by the President, who he described as a powerful politician.

Dr. Jonathan said it is important that another body outside the Presidency should set up the electoral management body and the tribunal to guarantee impartiality, neutrality and credibility of the process.

The former President also reiterated his call for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference, which he set up, saying the implementation of the report would resolve parts of the national question.

Dr Jonathan spoke at the presentation of a book, titled: The Dream: Pursuing the Black Renaissance Through the Murky Waters of Nigerian Politics, written by Afenifere chieftain, Senator Femi Okunrounmu.

The ceremony, which held at Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Yaba, was part of the ceremony marking the author’s 80th birthday.

At the ceremony, chaired by Dr Jonathan, were Oyo State Deputy Governor Remi Olaniyan, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, book reviewer Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), Dr.

Amos Akingba, Alhaja Ganiat Fawehinmi, Mohammed Fawehinmi, Yeye Bola Doherty, Chief Supo Sonibare, Prof. Ope Adekunle, Dr. Dapo Afonja, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Prof. Wale Adebanwi, and Mr. Odia Ofeimun.

Paying tribute to Okunrounmu, ex-President Jonathan described him as a patriot who had rendered great service to Nigeria.