Mali’s coup leaders want power for 3 years

Leaders of the military coup in Mali have told a delegation of West African mediators that they want to stay in power for a three-year transition period.

Nigeria’s former president Goodluck Jonathan, who leads an ECOWAS mediation delegation, revealed this after a meeting with Mali’s junta.

The former president said the mutineers are seeking to oversee a three-year transition before elections.

The coup has raised the prospect of further political turmoil in Mali which, like other countries in the region, has faced an expanding threat from Islamist militants and civil unrest.

Coup leaders have held Keita since his overthrow, declining an ECOWAS request for him to be moved to his own residence.

Leaders of the 15-nation bloc are scheduled to hold a summit on Friday to discuss further steps.