Bamako – Mali’s transitional parliament approved a draft electoral law on Friday, a measure designed to ease the return of the country to civilian rule.
The bill must be approved by the head of the military junta, President Assim Goita, before it becomes law.
The military government has said that once the law is adopted it will propose a timetable for a return to democracy. West African leaders slapped stringent economic and financial sanctions on Mali in January, following two military coups last year.
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The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) imposed the measures after the Malian army said it would hold on to power for five years.
After Ecowas piled on the pressure, the junta reduced that timeframe to two years but the regional body insists it must leave office within 16 months.
Mali’s interim parliament, the National Transition Council, substantially amended the original draft electoral law tabled by the government, to the displeasure of the latter.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Pixabay
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