Ecowas demands reinstatement of ousted Mali leader

By Mary Harper

West African leaders have called for the ousted president of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, to be reinstated immediately. 

A video summit of the regional bloc, Ecowas, chaired by the president of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, said it would send envoys to ensure the return of constitutional order. 

There is an increased military presence outside government ministries in the capital, Bamako, but shops and businesses have been open.

The leaders of Tuesday's coup say elections will be held in what they describe as a reasonable time. They've also promised to respect international agreements on fighting jihadists.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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