Mali's junta announces constitution's restoration

Bamako, April 2 (IANS) Days after toppling the government in a coup, Mali's junta has announced restoration of the country's constitution.

Junta leader Amadou Sanogo said in a statement Sunday that the junta would re-establish the country's constitution of Feb. 25 of 1992 from Sunday and the state institutions of the republic, Xinhua reported.

The junta agreed to negotiate with local political forces over establishing a transition body aimed at organising peaceful, free, open and democratic elections in which the junta would not participate, Sanogo added.

The latest declaration came as the junta was under high pressure from international communities, especially the nation's neighbours, which condemned the unconstitutional change of government and urged hand-over of power and restoration of constitutional order.

The junta overthrew President Amadou Toumani Toure's government March 22 in coup by disgruntled soldiers.