Bamako — Mali's military government proposed in December a 5-year extension of the transition to civilian rule, after originally agreeing to a period of 18 months. Protesters gathered Saturday in Bamako to call for a return to democracy, ahead of an ECOWAS meeting about Mali Sunday in Accra. About 100 protesters gathered Sunday afternoon at Bamako's Martyrs monument to demand a swift return to civilian rule, after Mali's military government proposed a 5-year transition plan in December with the next presidential elections in 2026. Ibrahim Kalilou Thera, one of the demonstration organizers, said military leaders proposed a 5-year transition period without consulting the people. A coalition of major political parties rejected the military government's 5-year transition proposition earlier this week.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 10, 2022 05:45 UTC