A photo taken on May 20, 2007 shows a depleted mangrove habitat in Malindi in the Kenyan coastal region. Photo: AFP

 A major coalition of Malian political parties on Sunday rejected the military-dominated government's plan for a transition lasting up to five years before the country returns to democratic rule.

The army has dominated landlocked and conflict-wracked Mali since August 2020, carrying out two coups and postponing elections it had previously committed to hold in February.

Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop submitted the new plans to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Saturday, following a national reform conference boycotted by political parties and social organizations.

The plans are for a five-year prolongation of the transition period, starting from January 1.

The coalition, representing around 10 parties, said the timetable violates the transition charter, "has not been discussed in Mali and cannot in any way be the deep desire of the Malian people."

"Consequently, the group rejects this unilateral and unreasonable timetable," it added in a statement.

Coalition spokesman Sekou Niame Bathily told AFP the parties "disassociate" themselves from the military government's plan and want "to proceed with quickly organizing elections."

ECOWAS, which has threatened to impose sanctions on Mali's ruling junta for postponing the elections, will hold an extraordinary summit on Mali in Ghana's capital Accra on Sunday. 

The junta cited persistent insecurity in Mali's restive north in its decision to postpone the elections.