ECOWAS holds extraordinary summit on Mali’s political crisis

West African leaders have initiated a virtual extraordinary summit to address the deepening political crisis in Mali, following a stalemate in previous talks held by presidents from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, and Niger. Onyekachi Adekoya, the Managing Director of PR24 Nigeria, shared insights on the ongoing situation, highlighting the complexity of the issues at hand. Despite efforts to find a resolution, Adekoya expressed skepticism about the immediate prospects for a breakthrough, citing the entrenched interests within Mali that are contributing to the impasse. He emphasized the need for sustained dialogue and a multi-faceted approach to address the longstanding instability in the country. Adekoya also underscored the importance of accountability, justice, and fairness in responding to the demands of the protesters, acknowledging that the government could have handled the situation better. Reflecting on the role of ECOWAS in the crisis, Adekoya expressed confidence in the regional body's ability to facilitate dialogue and potentially deploy a stabilization force if needed. As discussions continue, the focus remains on finding a sustainable solution to the challenges facing Mali, with hopes of preventing further escalation of the situation.