The Interim President of Mali, Mr.
Diongunda Traore, on Thursday in Abuja,
described President Goodluck Jonathan as an
“astute mediator’’ who “lit the light when
everything was dark and sombre” in Mali. Traore spoke when he conferred on Jonathan the
highest honour of the Republic of Mali “Grand
Croix de L’ordre National du Mali’’ meaning “the
Highest Cross of the National Order of Mali.’’ The e ceremony, which held at the council
chamber of the Presidential Villa, was attended by
top political leaders from Mali.
The Interim President of Mali, Prof. Dioncounda
Traore (l) conferring the highest honour in Mali
(Grand-Croix L’ordre Nationale Du Mali) on
President Goodluck Jonathan In Abuja on
Thursday Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and
Peter Obi of Anambra, ministers and presidential
aides were also in attendance. Traore, who spoke through an interpreter, said
the honour was to appreciate the pivotal roles
played by Jonathan and Nigeria in the restoration
of peace and security to Mali. “I transmit the greetings and gratitude of the
Malian people, greetings and gratitude of the
Malian people to the Nigerian people who have
shown themselves in solidarity in the Malian
course. “Greetings and gratitude to yourself, President
Jonathan for your engagement to our fight since
the beginning of the security crisis. “Crisis which has also been political and
humanitarian, which shook Mali from January
2012 and for many months. “We know how much your country suffers also
from terrorism. “We know how much Nigeria has needs of its
troops, of her soldiers and all the soldiers at her
disposal to ensure internal security against forces
of evil, who have continued to attack innocent
citizens. “However, in spite of this internal need and
pressure, your country has not hesitated to put at
the disposal of Mali her soldiers and her logistics. “Today, we came to thank you for the solidarity
you showed to your neighbour, and the solidarity
of ECOWAS and African Union as well as the
international community, “Today, Mali has found peace again. Mali has
found again her unity and her democracy which
were compromised for long months. “It is this Mali which has found itself again and
which is very grateful which has sent me today Mr.
President, to tell you that it will never forget what
you have done for it. “To tell you of the light which you lit in her way
when everything was dark and sombre. “Thank you once more, Mr. President, and accept
this modest gesture of our gratitude of the Malian
nation which by my hand today we have come to
confer on you.” Traore specifically, recalled Jonathan’s personal
efforts as co-mediator for peace in Mali when
several meetings were held in Abuja,
Ouagadougou and also in Bamako. “You have spent without counting the cost Mr.
President, you have spent for Mali, your efforts
have born fruits. “ Mali has come back among you strong from the
lessons learnt, proud of what it has been able to
achieve and proud of what you have been able to
do for peace,’’ he said. In a response, President Jonathan said the honour
bestowed on him symbolised evident
acknowledgement and appreciation of Nigeria’s
commitment and sacrifice to all efforts towards
ensuring peace and stability in Mali. “The importance of this is that, our substantial
financial, military and material contributions,
including the supreme sacrifice paid by two
Nigerian Airforce pilots have all not been in vain. “The cost not withstanding and in the spirit of
African solidarity, I assure you that Nigeria
remains steadfastly committed to supporting the
course of peace in Mali,’’ he said. The president said the unwavering commitment
of Nigeria to the course of peace-keeping and
peace-building across the African continent was
based on the conviction that Africa could only
experience sustained growth when there was
peace. “I have no doubt whatsoever that, with a
politically-stable Africa, it would be a strong and
prosperous continent. “As political leaders, we owe it to our collective
posterity to ensure that we bequeath to the
citizens that which will enable them maximise
their creative potentials, favourably in the 21st
century world.” Jonathan thanked Traore for the honour,
congratulated the Malian President-elect, Ibrahim
Keita and also hailed the patriotism of his
opponent, Sumalia Cisse for placing peace and
stability of Mali above partisanship and personal
ambition.(NAN)
Diongunda Traore, on Thursday in Abuja,
described President Goodluck Jonathan as an
“astute mediator’’ who “lit the light when
everything was dark and sombre” in Mali. Traore spoke when he conferred on Jonathan the
highest honour of the Republic of Mali “Grand
Croix de L’ordre National du Mali’’ meaning “the
Highest Cross of the National Order of Mali.’’ The e ceremony, which held at the council
chamber of the Presidential Villa, was attended by
top political leaders from Mali.
The Interim President of Mali, Prof. Dioncounda
Traore (l) conferring the highest honour in Mali
(Grand-Croix L’ordre Nationale Du Mali) on
President Goodluck Jonathan In Abuja on
Thursday Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and
Peter Obi of Anambra, ministers and presidential
aides were also in attendance. Traore, who spoke through an interpreter, said
the honour was to appreciate the pivotal roles
played by Jonathan and Nigeria in the restoration
of peace and security to Mali. “I transmit the greetings and gratitude of the
Malian people, greetings and gratitude of the
Malian people to the Nigerian people who have
shown themselves in solidarity in the Malian
course. “Greetings and gratitude to yourself, President
Jonathan for your engagement to our fight since
the beginning of the security crisis. “Crisis which has also been political and
humanitarian, which shook Mali from January
2012 and for many months. “We know how much your country suffers also
from terrorism. “We know how much Nigeria has needs of its
troops, of her soldiers and all the soldiers at her
disposal to ensure internal security against forces
of evil, who have continued to attack innocent
citizens. “However, in spite of this internal need and
pressure, your country has not hesitated to put at
the disposal of Mali her soldiers and her logistics. “Today, we came to thank you for the solidarity
you showed to your neighbour, and the solidarity
of ECOWAS and African Union as well as the
international community, “Today, Mali has found peace again. Mali has
found again her unity and her democracy which
were compromised for long months. “It is this Mali which has found itself again and
which is very grateful which has sent me today Mr.
President, to tell you that it will never forget what
you have done for it. “To tell you of the light which you lit in her way
when everything was dark and sombre. “Thank you once more, Mr. President, and accept
this modest gesture of our gratitude of the Malian
nation which by my hand today we have come to
confer on you.” Traore specifically, recalled Jonathan’s personal
efforts as co-mediator for peace in Mali when
several meetings were held in Abuja,
Ouagadougou and also in Bamako. “You have spent without counting the cost Mr.
President, you have spent for Mali, your efforts
have born fruits. “ Mali has come back among you strong from the
lessons learnt, proud of what it has been able to
achieve and proud of what you have been able to
do for peace,’’ he said. In a response, President Jonathan said the honour
bestowed on him symbolised evident
acknowledgement and appreciation of Nigeria’s
commitment and sacrifice to all efforts towards
ensuring peace and stability in Mali. “The importance of this is that, our substantial
financial, military and material contributions,
including the supreme sacrifice paid by two
Nigerian Airforce pilots have all not been in vain. “The cost not withstanding and in the spirit of
African solidarity, I assure you that Nigeria
remains steadfastly committed to supporting the
course of peace in Mali,’’ he said. The president said the unwavering commitment
of Nigeria to the course of peace-keeping and
peace-building across the African continent was
based on the conviction that Africa could only
experience sustained growth when there was
peace. “I have no doubt whatsoever that, with a
politically-stable Africa, it would be a strong and
prosperous continent. “As political leaders, we owe it to our collective
posterity to ensure that we bequeath to the
citizens that which will enable them maximise
their creative potentials, favourably in the 21st
century world.” Jonathan thanked Traore for the honour,
congratulated the Malian President-elect, Ibrahim
Keita and also hailed the patriotism of his
opponent, Sumalia Cisse for placing peace and
stability of Mali above partisanship and personal
ambition.(NAN)
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