Mali to Hold National Convention to Decide Future, Junta Leader Says
The military junta that seized power in Mali last month has said it will hold a national convention Thursday to determine the country’s future direction — as international pressure to restore civilian rule continues.
The military leaders, who overthrew Mali’s democratically elected president, will invite “the political class and all civil society representatives” to take part in the convention to decide what path to take “in a consensual manner, democratically and in all freedom,” Capt. Amadou Sanogo, the junta leader, said at a news conference Tuesday.
The African Union said earlier Tuesday that it would impose more sanctions on Mali, one day after the Economic Community of West African States slapped the ruling military junta with travel and economic restrictions after last month’s coup.