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Mali coup leaders to stand down as part of Ecowas deal | Mali coup leaders to stand down as part of Ecowas deal |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Coup leaders in Mali have agreed to stand down and allow a transition to civilian rule, as part of a deal struck with regional bloc Ecowas. | Coup leaders in Mali have agreed to stand down and allow a transition to civilian rule, as part of a deal struck with regional bloc Ecowas. |
In return, the bloc will lift trade and economic sanctions and grant amnesty to the ruling junta, mediators said. | In return, the bloc will lift trade and economic sanctions and grant amnesty to the ruling junta, mediators said. |
The move came after Tuareg rebels in the north declared independence of territory they call Azawad. | The move came after Tuareg rebels in the north declared independence of territory they call Azawad. |
The rebels seized the area after a coup two weeks ago plunged the West African nation into political crisis. | The rebels seized the area after a coup two weeks ago plunged the West African nation into political crisis. |
Independence call | Independence call |
Under the terms of transition plan, military rulers will cede power to the parliamentary speaker, Diouncounda Traore, who as interim president will oversee a timetable for elections. | Under the terms of transition plan, military rulers will cede power to the parliamentary speaker, Diouncounda Traore, who as interim president will oversee a timetable for elections. |
Once sworn in, Mr Traore would have 40 days to organise elections, the five-page agreement says. | Once sworn in, Mr Traore would have 40 days to organise elections, the five-page agreement says. |
After four days of a total economic embargo, the announcement will certainly come as a relief for the Malian population. | |
The agreement says that Ecowas will immediately prepare for the lifting of the tough sanctions it imposed on Mali earlier this week. | |
However, it doesn't specify when Captain Amadou Sanogo would hand over power to the head of the national assembly. | |
The sooner the better. The northern crisis will probably not be addressed before a legitimate government is in place in Bamako but the situation is now critical. | The sooner the better. The northern crisis will probably not be addressed before a legitimate government is in place in Bamako but the situation is now critical. |
Tuareg-led rebels have declared independence for a vast land of lawlessness and confusion from which at least half the population, already impoverished, has fled either south or into neighbouring countries. | |
It is also a land where Islamist combatants, some of whom are linked to al-Qaeda, are now imposing Sharia law, and where witness accounts speak of abductions and rapes. | |
Regional defence chiefs of staff are drafting plans for a potential military intervention. But it would still take weeks and outside logistical help before it could be deployed. | |
The deal, signed by coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo, states that Ecowas prepare for the ending of sanctions, but did not name a date for Capt Sanogo to hand over power. | The deal, signed by coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo, states that Ecowas prepare for the ending of sanctions, but did not name a date for Capt Sanogo to hand over power. |
"It will be necessary to organise a political transition leading to free, democratic and transparent elections across the whole of the territory," it states. | "It will be necessary to organise a political transition leading to free, democratic and transparent elections across the whole of the territory," it states. |
Officers led by Captain Sanogo seized power on 22 March, accusing the elected government of not doing enough to halt the rebellion in the north. | Officers led by Captain Sanogo seized power on 22 March, accusing the elected government of not doing enough to halt the rebellion in the north. |
Earlier, international bodies rejected a call from Tuareg rebels for their newly named region of Azawad to be recognised as independent. | Earlier, international bodies rejected a call from Tuareg rebels for their newly named region of Azawad to be recognised as independent. |
The secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) is one of two main groups fighting a rebellion in the north. | The secular National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) is one of two main groups fighting a rebellion in the north. |
Ansar Dine, an Islamist group, has also made gains and has started to impose Sharia law in some towns. | Ansar Dine, an Islamist group, has also made gains and has started to impose Sharia law in some towns. |
Rights group Amnesty International has warned of a major humanitarian disaster in the wake of the rebellion. | Rights group Amnesty International has warned of a major humanitarian disaster in the wake of the rebellion. |
Ecowas is preparing a force of up to 3,000 soldiers which could be deployed to stop the rebel advance. | Ecowas is preparing a force of up to 3,000 soldiers which could be deployed to stop the rebel advance. |
France's Defence Minister, Gerard Longuet, said France could provide assistance to the force, including transport, Reuters news agency reports. | France's Defence Minister, Gerard Longuet, said France could provide assistance to the force, including transport, Reuters news agency reports. |
The Tuareg people inhabit the Sahara Desert in northern Mali, as well as several neighbouring countries and have fought several rebellions over the years. | The Tuareg people inhabit the Sahara Desert in northern Mali, as well as several neighbouring countries and have fought several rebellions over the years. |
They complain that they have been ignored by the authorities in the capital, Bamako. | They complain that they have been ignored by the authorities in the capital, Bamako. |