Leader of Mali's junta signs election law letting him run

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali’s junta leer, Col. Assimi Goita, signed a new law Friday paving way for elections and a return of country to constitutional rule. Col. Goita’ has been president of transitional government since seizing power in a coup two years ago.

law would also allow him and or military members of transitional government to run in 2024, when next presidential election is scheduled, according to a copy of new legislation seen by Associated Press.

West Africa's regional bloc, Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), imposed stiff sanctions on Mali earlier this year after military rulers refused to hold elections in February as planned.

new law creates a single election management body to replace a contested three-party system, and details steps that would le to elections. It’s meant to signal junta’s willingness to return to constitutional rule and convince ECOWAS to ease sanctions, according to state media.

However, fact that junta leers would be able to run for office could derail democratic process and cast doubt on country’s future return to stability, said Abdrahmane Diarra, youth president for Union for Republic and Democracy, a political party.

But conflict analysts say concern is not about who is running or not, but finding a leer who is going to unite country and help it emerge from its current security and political crises.

“Goita or anor leer wouldn’t matter as long as tangible results are re and signs of stability start to be apparent,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior fellow at Policy Center for New South, a Moroccan based organization focused on economics and policy.