President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the efforts of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan over in the on-going peace process in Mali.

Jonathan who is a co-special envoy to the Mali crisis was a participant at a virtual extraordinary session of ECOWAS heads of state held yesterday.

Buhari thanked Jonathan as a mediator in the crisis saying his efforts paved way for the release of ousted President Boubacar Keita.

“I would like to thank once again, the ECOWAS Mediator in Mali, Goodluck Jonathan, as well as my colleagues in the sub-region, who have continued to demonstrate sincere commitment to the resolution of this crisis. Nigeria stands in full solidarity with the people of Mali.

“Nigeria will, alongside ECOWAS, provide the necessary logistics support to facilitate the conduct of elections to re-establish democratic governance in Mali.

President Buhari said he expected a transition process to be completed in not more than 12 months, and which shall include the representatives of Malian stakeholders.

“The government needs to do these in order to enjoy the cooperation and collaboration of regional and international community, and to allow the easing of sanctions imposed on Mali” he said.

President Buhari also called for the immediate release of all the remaining senior Government officials in detention, without pre-conditions.