Mali: still no agreement between the junta and the ECOWAS on a return of civilians to power

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2 min

In Mali, discussions between representatives of West African countries and the junta, in power for a week, in Bamako, have so far given nothing. The two sides separated without reaching an agreement on the conditions for a transfer of power to civilians. The military had announced a civil transition within a reasonable, ill-defined time frame, while the ECOWAS demanded an immediate return to constitutional order.

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With our correspondent in Bamako, Serge Daniel

The main point of disagreement between the junta and the ECOWAS mediation concerns the duration of the transition.

As a first step, the junta, as a basis for discussion, proposed three years, and this Monday it proposed two years of transition. Mediation for its part, according to the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs who has been very active in the negotiations, wants between seven and twelve months.

Who will be at the head of the transition, who will lead the junta, who will be its members? Here too there are some differences. The mediation of the economic community of West African States wants a retired civilian or a soldier. The sub-regional institution, however, leaves with the hope that within 24 hours, before the meeting next Wednesday of the heads of state of the ECOWAS by videoconference, the junta will still make efforts on the points mentioned.

However, ECOWAS did not leave completely empty-handed. She agrees to turn the page on President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta who said he was no longer interested in power. There is therefore no longer any question of reinstalling him in power. He will, in principle, be released soon. The junta spoke about it. She also called for the lifting of sanctions against Mali.

► Read also: Mali: the junta proposes a three-year transition with a military leadership

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• Mali
• Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
• ECOWAS