Monrovia- Liberian President George M. Weah will today, Thursday, August 20, participate in a virtual extraordinary conference of heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States, an Executive Mansion press release said last evening.
The meeting has been called to discuss the crisis in Mali where soldiers ousted and detained President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and members of his cabinet.
West Africa leaders have condemned the overthrow of President Keita and suspended Mali from all Ecowas decision making bodies. During Thursday’s meeting, the leaders will deliberate on the best way to deal with the situation in Mali in line with Ecowas protocols.
Mali has had a turbulent recent history with Tuareg rebels and other extremists groups fighting in the north of the country for greater autonomy, which led to the intervention of a UN peacekeeping mission. Liberian soldiers have served MINUSMA diligently over the years as they help stabilize the country and region.
The President’s entourage at the virtual event will comprise Acting Foreign Minister Henry Fahnbulleh, Defense Minister Daniel Ziankahn, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah,
Information Minister Eugene Nagbe, Minister of State Without Portfolio Trokon Kpui and Presidential Advisor Emmanuel Shaw.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has joined global condemnation of the military takeover in Mali, which saw President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta forced to resign, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports.
The UN’s Security Council echoed similar calls by regional bodies for the immediate release of all government officials and the restoration of constitutional order.
The soldiers said they acted to prevent the country falling into further chaos.
They say they will set up a civilian government and hold new elections.