Nigeria Sets To Withdraw Troops From Mali

Plans are underway as Nigerian Army awaits approval from her Commander-In-Chief, Goodluck Jonathan. This was made known to newsmen after the 43rd Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria.

Chairman of ECOWAS and President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara said on Thursday that some of Nigeria's troops to Mali would be withdrawn back to Nigeria "because of the domestic situation in the country".

"I received a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan that because of the domestic situation in Nigeria parts of the troops will be withdrawn".

"Nigeria needs some of its people but not all are being withdrawn," he said.

"Mali is ready for elections; you do not have perfect elections because there are problems.

"Mali needs a legitimate government and they should have this election on July 28 for the first round and August 11 for the second.

"By the end of August, we would have a democratically elected government," he said.

The Authority of Head of State and Government instructed the ECOWAS commission led by Mr Kadre Ouedraogo to expedite action on the  review of peace and security in the region to prevent recurring situation.

The Authority also commended the effort of the Malian government and people for the efforts to ensure a peaceful transition and appealed to political parties and candidates to "demonstrate self-restraint, accept the outcome of the polls and resort to legal means if disputes arise".

The 620-strong contingent drawn from Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso would be expected to fulfill its mandate of facilitating the restoration of constitutional rule in Guinea Bissau.