Coup: ECOWAS delegation headed by Jonathan arrive in Mali

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Goodluck Jonathan

ECOWAS leaders arrived in Mali on Saturday to try to push for a speedy return to civilian rule after a military coup which ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

The delegation, under the leadership former President Goodluck Jonathan, planning to meet members of the new junta as well as the ousted president.

Mutinying soldiers seized Keita and other leaders after a mutiny on Tuesday, dealing another deep blow to a country already struggling with a brutal jihadist insurgency and widespread public discontent over its government.

Mali’s neighbors have called for Keita to be reinstated, saying the purpose of the delegation’s visit was to help ensure the immediate return of constitutional order.

A delegation official told SkyDaily that they would meet members of the junta and later Keita, who is being held with prime minister Boubou Cisse in Kati, a seized military base where the coup was unleashed.