Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Mali's Junta to Hold Transition Talks This Weekend

VOA News

   The junta that seized control of Mali in a coup two weeks ago will hold
   transition talks this weekend with political parties and civic groups,
   including the June 5 Movement that launched a protest movement that
   eventually led to President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's resignation.

   A junta spokesman said the talks Saturday and Sunday are aimed at
   producing a blueprint for the transition.

   A delegation from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African
   States recently rejected the coup leaders' plan for a three-year
   transition.

   The bloc is demanding immediate civilian transition and elections
   within a year.

   Mali's junta spokesman said a second round of talks will be held next
   Thursday through Saturday in Bamako, Mali's capital.

   On Thursday, the head of Mali's new junta visited Keita in a Bamako
   hospital, where he was admitted Tuesday for a condition that could lead
   to a stroke.

   The junta says Keita is free to seek additional medical treatment
   abroad.

.