ABURI, Ghana— Mali’s military rulers face a regional deadline for naming a civilian interim leader Tuesday, as the coup leaders meet with West Africa leaders who have emphatically indicated that new elections must be held within a year.
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS had given the ultimatum to Mali’s military leaders after they initially proposed remaining in power for three more years.
Another bone of contention is who will be the leader for the transition. The coup leaders say the interim president chosen to oversee the transitional government could come from the military, but the regional leaders have said the leader must be a civilian.
These issues are expected to be at the top of the agenda on Tuesday at the summit including presidents from six countries in the regional block.
The gathering, which is taking place at the Peduase Presidential Lodge at Aburi in the Eastern Region of Ghana is being chaired by the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo
