Mali’s ruling junta yesterday said that it is making moves to appoint an acting president following the West African leaders imposed economic sanctions the on coup, which appears to have had a limited effect so far.

Recall that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders had given one week for a civilian interim president and prime minister to be in place.

The junta spokesman, Wague told reporters he was not disposed to give an immediate response.

A transitional charter approved at multi-party talks said that the interim president can be a soldier or a civilian and will be chosen by electors selected by the junta. The ruling junta had announced a plan that would permit a military leader to oversee an 18-month transitional period but opposition groups did not accept this.