The
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Sidie Mohamed Tunis has pledged support of the
sub-regional congress to Mali as part of activities of the sub-regional
lawmakers to support the West African country.
Speaker
Tunis made the pledge when he led a
parliamentary mission to the Malian people as the country embarks on transition
to democratic rule.
The
speaker also stressed that the legislative body recognized the National
Transitional Council (CNT), the body set up at the beginning of December and
entrusted with legislative power.
The
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the parliamentary mission was mooted
by the speaker during his opening speech at the January Virtual Ordinary
Session of the parliament.
The
mission was specifically meant to support the transition process in Mali, in
line with the relevant decisions of the Special Meeting on Mali, of ECOWAS
Authority of Heads of State and Government, held in September 2020 in Accra.
Speaking
after a meeting with the First Deputy Speaker of the CNT, Mr Assarid
Imbarkawane, Tunis said: “We are here to hold parliamentary discussions with
the Speaker and the CNT all geared towards giving the support to the Malian
people.
“As
members of ECOWAS Parliament, we recognise the CNT and it is in the interest of
the Malian people that we work with them, advise them, and give whatever
support that they need.
“We
had very frank discussions and we were able to give some advice on how we can
continue to have peace and stability in Mali.
“We
are very pleased with the explanation that we got from the President of the CNT
and we also hope to meet with other political party players to see how we can encourage
them to work together as a country for the interest of the people of Mali.”
The
speaker added that as part of the mission, members of the sub-regional
parliament would hold further discussions with the CNT as well as lawmakers who
had been posted to ECOWAS.
He
urged the CNT to ensure that it worked to advance peace and stability in Mali
throughout the transition process.
“Between
now and the time for the elections, the ECOWAS Parliament will continue to
engage them to ensure that we all go by the rules, to ensure inclusive dialogue
that will bring all political players on board.
“So that at the end of the day when we
have the elections, it would be acceptable to everybody,” he said.
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