Malian parliament approves amnesty for coup leaders

The parliament passed the bill on Friday, but it must be signed by interim President Dioncounda Traore before coming into effect as a law , AFP reported.

“Mutiny, attacking internal state security, attacking external state security, destruction of property... violence and assault, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, looting” and other crimes are included on the list of acts exempted from prosecution.

The military said it had overthrown Toure because his government had not done enough in the military campaign against separatist Tuareg rebels in the north.

But in the wake of the coup, the Tuareg rebels have taken control of the entire northern desert region.

Toure tendered his official resignation on April 8 to facilitate a deal signed by junta leader Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediator Djibril Bassole to establish an interim government and restore constitutional rule.

ECOWAS planned for Traore to lead the transitional government for 12 months, but the putschists say they will not allow him to stay in office beyond May 22.

Interim President Traore and Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra have been tasked with organizing elections and bringing an end to the northern separatist rebellion.