Malian military leaders ask for three more years

A panel in Mali has recommended extending the military transition to democracy by three years and allowing junta leader Assimi Goïta to run in possible elections.

National consultations lasting several months, boycotted by many members of the opposition, resulted on Friday in a series of recommendations, including the extension of the transition from two to five years, thus extending the power of the junta until 2027, Reuters reported.

The significant delay is likely to deepen concerns about the decline of democracy in West and Central Africa, where there have been eight coups in the past four years.

On the security front, participants in the consultations advised the authorities to be open to dialogue with Islamist armed groups and to engage with all Malian armed movements.