Breaking: Ex President Jonathan gets key appointment

Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Ebere Jonathan has gotten a major appointment.

Onyxnews Nigeria reports that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed ex President Jonathan, as a special envoy to lead the sub-regional body’s mediation mission in Mali.

The former president’s appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

The letter stated: “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.”

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

Former President Jonathan, who spoke ahead of his scheduled departure for Bamako on Wednesday, vowed to do his best to ensure that the mission achieves good result.

Jonathan also appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the Nigerian Government supports, with providing an aircraft and other logistics required to make the assignment a successful one.

This online news playform understands that the former President had in the past led peace missions to many crisis-ridden nations. The former president is also expected to deploy his massive goodwill within the continent to facilitate the process of restoring peace in resolving the nation’s challenges.

Former President Jonathan’s appointment comes at a time the West African nation has been hit by protests, sparked by the outcome of parliamentary elections in March and April, perceived discontent over the government’s handling of Mali’s jihadist insurgency and worsening economic situation.

Jonathan is to engage in consultations with all relevant stakeholders involved in the ongoing dispute in Mali to ensure that a common ground is found in finding peace.

Few months ago, Onyxnews Nigeria had reported that President Buhari had bagged an appointment from ECOWAS to lead in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).