In this file photo, Col Assimi Goita (centre) who has declared himself the leader of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, is accompanied by group member Malick Diaw (left) as they meet with a high-level delegation from the West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, at the Ministry of Defense in Bamako, Mali, Aug 22, 2020. (PHOTO / AP)

BAMAKO - The political transition period in Mali will last 18 months and be led by a president and a vice president appointed by a commission set up by the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), Moussa Camara, general rapporteur of the national consultations which gathered all political forces in the country, said Saturday.

According to the Transition Charter, which was adopted by some 500 participants from different forces of the nation after three days of consultations, the eventual transitional president will be either a military or a civilian

According to the Transition Charter, which was adopted by some 500 participants from different forces of the nation after three days of consultations, the eventual transitional president will be either a military or a civilian.

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In addition to the transitional president and his or her vice president, a government will be formed with a maximum of 25 members under the leadership of a prime minister who will be appointed by the transitional president in accordance with the current Constitution.

Also, during the period of transition, a National Council of 121 members composed of those from the political forces of Mali will be set up as the legislative body.

In a brief closing speech, Colonel Assimi Goita, president of the CNSP, welcomed the spirit that animated these meetings and made the commitment that the junta will rigorously ensure the implementation of the documents validated by the participants after the three-day consultations.

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Following a mutiny on Aug. 18 in the Soundiata Keita camp in Kati, near Bamako, Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse were brought to the camp by mutineers.

Keita announced his own resignation that evening, as well as his government and the dissolution of the National Assembly.

At the beginning of this week, the heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to maintain all the sanctions against the military junta in power since Aug 18 in Bamako and gave a weeklong ultimatum to appoint a civilian president and prime minister.

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ECOWAS also demanded that the political transition be done in one year.