The decree signed by the head of the junta, Colonel Assimi Goïta, was read on Monday evening on Malian state television. A step forward because at the beginning of the year, the military planned to lead Mali for up to five years and ECOWAS adopted very harsh sanctions against Bamako.
” The duration of the transition is set at 24 months, (from) March 26, 2022 “, according to the decree signed by the leader of the junta Assimi Goïta and read on state television this Monday evening. The junta therefore gives itself until March 2024 to return power to civilians.
The announcement surprised Bamako. Even government ministers have privately said they heard the news like everyone else on television. In the entourage of Colonel Assimi Goïta, the decree is justified: “ You have to go fast so as not to waste time “, explains to RFI one of his advisers. ” The duration of a transition of 24 months, continues the same source, is already the basis of discussions with ECOWAS, and what the organization expects from us now are details on the schedule of activities leading up to the elections. »
On the side of ECOWAS, an official says to himself “ surprised by this announcement. The idea adopted after the summit is that the mediator in the Malian crisis, Goodluck Jonathan, meet with each other and propose a plan to end the crisis at the next summit scheduled for early July in Accra. “ By announcing the 24 months, the Malian government puts the carts before the horse », Comments for his part a diplomat from an ECOWAS member country who adds: « But you have to understand the Malian junta. She needs to bulge her chest to galvanize her rather embargo-weary public opinion. »