Mali’s transitional government on Sunday said it failed to reach an agreement with an envoy from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc on when to hold elections that would restore democracy after a military takeover, reported US News.
Mali was hit hard with sanctions in January after the military junta that first seized power in a 2020 coup proposed extending its rule until 2025.
The interim authorities held negotiations with ECOWAS member and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in Bamako on Friday and Saturday. Bamako ended his two-day visit to Mali without any agreement on a date for elections to return the country to civilian rule.
In a statement, Mali’s government rejected the ECOWAS envoy’s proposal for a shorter 24-month transition period.
“The government of Mali regrets the lack of compromise at this stage,” the statement said, adding that it remained open to agreeing on a solution.
Mr. Jonathan is mediating with Mali’s ruling body on behalf of the West African regional bloc. He stressed fixing a date for free elections, having previously said an initially proposed five years was too long.
After staging a coup in August 2020, Mali’s military rulers initially promised to conduct a vote in February 2022. The military staged another coup in May last year that removed an interim civilian government from power, disrupting the reform timetable.
In December last year, the military government proposed staying in power for between six months and five years, citing security concerns.
The ECOWAS and the European Union imposed sanctions on members of interim President Assimi Goïta’s inner circle earlier this year after the military authorities in Mali decided to postpone a plan for the February elections.
ECOWAS leaders have said that they will gradually ease the sanctions, which include border closures and restrictions on financial transactions if an acceptable timetable for elections is proposed. The bloc has called the potential length of the transition unacceptable.
