The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at an emergency session on Sunday in Nigeria’s capital Abuja agreed to a military intervention plan to wrest control of northern Mali from an extremist Islamist force. The plan will be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said at the meeting that a joint intervention force was needed to flush out extremists and avoid "costly consequences" for Africa, but most observers say dialogue is the preferred option for resolving the crisis in Mali.

Ecowas' emergency session to unveil Mali intervention plan (photo: dw.de)

The UN Security Council gave African leaders 45 days, beginning October 12, to develop a plan to recapture northern Mali, with details on forces, the participation of each nation, and funding for operations and weapons.