Panafrican News Agency

Mali: ECOWAS proposes a transition, led by a civilian president, for one year

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Meeting for the second time this Friday, on the situation in Mali, the Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have proposed a way out of the crisis - a transition managed by a civilian president, lasting 12 months, PANA learned from a diplomatic source in Ouagadougou.

ECOWAS took note of the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and his government, but indicated that "the President and the Prime Minister of the Transition must be civilians" and this transition "must not exceed 12 months", declared Alpha Barry, the Burkinabè Minister of Foreign Affairs.

ECOWAS has also decided to maintain the sanctions on Mali and to lift them when "the situation improves".

The military junta on Thursday released ex-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, while his son has taken refuge in Côte d'Ivoire, according to sources.

-0- PANA TNDD/BEH/KND/VAO 28Aug2020