ECOWAS tasks new transitional govt in Mali

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - The ECOWAS Commission has tasked the new Transitional Government of National Unity in Mali to take urgent steps to address the daunting challenges facing the country.

In a statement made available to PANA in Lagos on Wednesday, the Commission said the steps included the stabilization of the transition, the re-establishment of the unity and territorial integrity of Mali, and the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections within the period of the transition.

The Commission said the formation of the unity government was in line with the decisions taken by West African leaders at their 41st Ordinary Summit in Yamoussoukro, Cote d'Ivoire, 29 June, as well as the decisions of the AU and the UN.

It expressed the hope that the newly-created Government truly reflects the diversity of the Malian nation and carries the support of the Malian people.

The Commission reiterated its support for Mali and expressed its readiness to urgently consider any request for assistance that may be formulated by the Government.

The unity government, which was announced on Monday by Interim President Dioncounda Traore, included 31 ministers

It was formed as part of efforts to restore stability to the West African nation, which has been in crisis since a military coup in March, which toppled its elected government.

Tuareg rebels and their Islamist allies cashed in on the coup to seize the entire northern part of the country.
-0- PANA SEG 22Aug2012