Mali interim govt mandate extended to one year

The regional grouping of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided that Malian interim government should remain in power for one year before holding presidential elections and transiting power to civilian rule. "The heads of state and government decided that the transition period should last 12 months, followed by presidential and legislative elections…to assist Mali in the reestablishment of its unity and of its territorial integrity,” the 15-nation group announced in a statement issued late on Thursday, Reuters reported. ECOWAS leaders asked the body’s executive commission to immediately deploy a regional military force in Mali to help secure the power transition process. "To this effect, the heads of state and of government instructed the commission to begin with immediate effect the deployment of the standby force of ECOWAS," the statement added. On March 22, mutinous Malian soldiers led by coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo toppled President Amadou Toumani Toure and took control of government institutions. The military said it had overthrown Toure because his government had not done enough in the military campaign against separatist rebels in the north. But, in the wake of the coup, the rebels took control of the entire northern desert region. Toure tendered his official resignation on April 8 to facilitate a deal signed by Sanogo and ECOWAS mediator Djibril Bassole to establish the interim government and restore constitutional rule. Mali's interim leaders President Dioncounda Traore and Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra have been tasked with organizing elections and putting an end to the northern separatist rebellion.