Bamako – Talks in Mali aimed at resolving the political situation in the aftermath of last week’s coup have ended without agreement.
West African leaders have said that the deposed President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, should be reinstated. But envoys from regional body Ecowas has failed to convince Mali’s military leaders that this was the way forward.
Keita faced street protests before his overthrow and many in Mali have welcomed his removal.
Military spokesperson Col Ismael Wague is quoted as saying after the talks ended that the final decision on any interim administration would be made by Malians.
But the idea that Keita could return to power nay have been scuppered by the man himself. Reports say statements from the two sides saying that the president, who has been in detention since the coup last Tuesday, no longer wished to return to office.
The mediation team- led by Nigerian former President Goodluck Jonathan – will now report to regional heads of state on the progress made, Col Wague was quoted as saying.
In the talks that began on Saturday and continued through Monday, Jonathan said: “We have reached a number of agreements but we have not reached agreement on all the issues.”
