POLITICAL LEADERS in Mali at the weekend welcomed an accord signed by the junta that seized power last month in which it agreed to step down in “the hours and days ahead” and hand power to the president of the National Assembly.
The agreement, negotiated by the regional trade bloc, Ecowas, and signed late on Friday, is intended to pave the way for elections to choose a new president in a nation that has suffered twin crises: a rebellion in the north by Tuareg fighters that has sliced the country in two and a military coup that ended more than two decades of democracy.
“I hope that this is the beginning of a solution to the north,” said Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who had planned to run for president in a vote that, until the coup, was set for April 29th.
Officials expect the president of the National Assembly to be sworn in soon as the leader of a transitional government.
Under the Mali constitution, the assembly president takes over in the absence of the president.
Amadou Toumani Toure was overthrown by a junior military officers who said they acted because the government was moving too slowly to counter the Tuareg rebellion. Mr Toure, who has been in hiding ever since, has resigned, a parliamentary official has said.
The constitution limits a president to two terms, so Mr Toure, having been elected twice, was not eligible to run again.
The agreement also clears the way for the lifting of sanctions imposed by Ecowas that were beginning to bite hard.
Struggling with electricity shortages and high prices for necessities, residents of the capital, Bamako, were relieved to hear that the borders to neighbouring countries would soon be reopened.
It would also clear the way for the deployment of an Ecowas military force to help dislodge the Tuareg rebels, who have declared an independent state, Azawad.
– (New York Times service)