ACCRA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) remains committed to a peaceful transition to democratic rule in Mali, Chairman of the sub-regional bloc Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said Sunday.
Opening one day's extraordinary session of the heads of state of ECOWAS member states in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, Akufo-Addo, who is the president of Ghana, said the developments in Mali have "grave consequences for the peace and stability of our region."
"We must critically examine the dynamics of the current situation and make informed decisions. I am, thus, using this opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of ECOWAS, our continued commitment to the peaceful transition in Mali, with the basic goal of restoring democratic governance," said Akufo-Addo.
Akufo-Addo also said the recent happenings in Mali had raised anxiety levels in the region and shaken the hope of a peaceful and successful transition with the ultimate goal of "returning the country to democratic governance, and hopefully, the political stability of the country."
He said the political impasse started after the reappointment of the prime minister and the announcement of a new government that excluded two key military appointees.
"Unfortunately, this dissolution of the transitional government occurred just a few days after the visit of the mediator, Goodluck Jonathan, who was not informed by the transitional authorities of this development," said the chairman, who stressed that the sub-regional bloc would continue to work for the stability of Mali and the sub-region. Enditem
