I plan elections says Mali coup leader

The junior officer who overthrew the democratically-elected leader of Mali last month and dissolved the nation’s constitution made a public U-turn yesterday, declaring amid enormous international pressure that he was reinstating the 1992 constitution and planning to hold elections.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Apr 2012, 08:56 BST

Capt Amadou Haya Sanogo said he would organise a national convention to organise free and fair elections.

But he did not make clear when the elections would be held, and if he would remain president during the transitional period. As he approached the podium to address reporters, his bodyguards shouted out: “The president is coming.”

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Sanogo’s announcement came as Tuareg rebels penetrated the ancient northern city of Timbuktu, a move that deepens the crisis in the West African nation.

Mali, once a model democracy, was plunged into crisis on March 21 when a mutiny erupted at the Kati military camp near the presidential palace.