The military junta in Mali must work with the West African regional bloc to ensure a swift return to civilian rule, Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said on Monday, opening a summit in which Mali’s post-coup progress is high on the agenda.

A group of army colonels has ruled Mali since ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Aug. 18. No consensus has yet been reached on the make-up and duration of a transitional government ahead of promised elections.

APRNEWS - Opponents of Liberian President George Weah in a meeting of the council of patriot, on Tuesday maintained their stands to demonstrate on June 7 despite a call for dialogue launched by the head of state.

The call is to demand that President Weah “resign or find a solution to the appalling economic situation of the country, affecting most of the populace.

APRNEWS - The lower chamber of the parliament of Côte d’Ivoire adopted, on October 31, 2018, a draft law authorizing the government to ratify the agreement for the creation of an African Free Trade Zone (AFTZ).