AU, ECOWAS seek Nigeria’s support to tackle Mali crisis

West African leaders meet to tackle Mali crisis.

The African Union, AU, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on Friday solicited the support of Nigeria in tackling the deteriorating political situation in Mali.

The ECOWAS Chairman, President Allasane Quattara of Cote d’Ivoire, disclosed this after a meeting with the AU Chairman, President Boni Yayi of Benin, and President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja.

Addressing State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting, Mr. Quattara, said the situation in Mali is a source of concern to the sub-region and needs urgent attention.

“As you know, Mali is a problem for all of us in West Africa, so I came to get the advice and support of President Jonathan on some of the problems we have in the sub region,” he said.

He said the decisions arrived at in resolving the political crises would be made public in the next few days.

Following the March 22 coup d’ etat in Mali, ECOWAS, AU and other international organisations took decisive steps to restore democratic order in the country. A large part of northern Mali is still under the control of Islamists who have introduced a strict form of Islamic law, Sharia, on the populace.