Bamako – AFP

Participants in the “National Reconstruction Sessions” in Mali recommended extending the military junta’s interim rule from six months to five years.

Mali’s ruling military, which has carried out two coups in August 2020 and May 2021, has promised to hand over power to the people after the tentatively scheduled assembly and presidential elections in February, under pressure from the West African group and a section of the international community. 2022.

But the army, led by Colonel Azimi Kutta, said it had not been able to implement the timetable recently agreed to by the West African group, which had commissioned “national restructuring sessions” to set the timetable for the election and provided these “sessions”. Preparations for elections and suggestions for citizens to return to power.

In mid-December, the West African group called for re-election on February 27, returned the regime to power and threatened the ruling military with new sanctions if it did not adhere to the timetable.

A final statement on Thursday to the “sessions” in the presence of Colonel Getta said, “Participants agreed to extend the interim period to implement structural reforms in institutions and to allow credible, fair and transparent elections.”

“The deadline for issuance is six months to five years,” the report added.

“The government will set a timetable aimed at ensuring a peaceful and secure constitutional revenue as per the recommendations of the national bodies,” Colonel Gutta said at the closing ceremony of consultations launched on December 11 in various departments and municipalities of the country. .

“This is the perfect opportunity to reassure the Malian people of our commitment and commitment to implementing the decisions taken as a result of these sovereign sessions,” he added.

Gutta called on the West African delegation to “strengthen its support for Mali in implementing the work by supporting the forthcoming elections.”