Mali extends state of emergency

[iolsa]

Bamako - Mali's parliament has extended the nationwide state of emergency  to June 6, Radio Mali reported Friday.

Interim President Dioncounda Traore declared a state of emergency in January, as France launched a military intervention against Islamist rebels in the north of the country.

The radio report said the National Assembly passed a bill for the extension.

A presidential election has been set for July 7, with legislative elections later in the month, as part of a deal reached  after the government in Bamako was overthrown in a military coup a year ago.

Critics have questioned whether free and fair elections can be organized in under three months. More than 150 000 people have fled  Mali since a Tuareg uprising was hijacked by Islamist militant groups.

Insurgents have since been driven out of their main strongholds in Mali's far north by French and African coalition forces but security remains volatile in former jihadist strongholds of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu. - Sapa-dpa



IOLSA