Mali’s junta leader promised to reinstate the constitution from yesterday, hours before a deadline set by west African neighbours to start handing over power, as northern rebels entered the ancient trading post of Timbuktu.
Amadou Sanogo, who led a military coup on March 22nd, also pledged to re-establish all state institutions before organising a transfer of power back to civilians through democratic elections. He made the promises after the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) threatened sanctions, including a crippling closure of borders around the land-locked state, if the junta did not begin handing power back by midnight.
The aim of the putsch by disgruntled soldiers was to step up the battle against the northern rebels. But the coup has backfired, emboldening the Tuareg-led rebellion to seize new ground in its quest for a northern homeland. Yesterday they entered their latest target, Timbuktu, after government forces fled.
“We are making the solemn commitment to re-establish, from today, the Malian constitution of February 25th, 1992, and the institutions of the republic,” Capt Sanogo said in a statement read out at a barracks outside the capital Bamako.
There was no immediate reaction from Ecowas. – (Reuters)