The question of the status of the person who will lead the transition divides Malians.

Should it be a civilian or a military? This question about the status of the providential man is gaining more weight than it should. The main questions of priorities and duration are relegated to the background while the threat of increased sanctions by ECOWAS hangs like a sword of Damocles over Mali.

In my opinion, if the Malians manage to find a consensus on the essential questions, they will be able to influence the position of the Presidents of the member countries of ECOWAS. The latter cannot – in any case should not – go against a decision resulting from a broad consensus. In doing so they make a literal interpretation of the texts and betray their spirit.

I believe that this transition should nevertheless be led by a civilian over a period of 12 months. Other citizens think that a soldier will make a good transitional President. This divergence in the way of seeing should not be a handicap but rather a source of discussion with a view to a compromise at the end of the consultations on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September.

Dear friends, I share with you an architectural proposal which should – in my opinion – serve as organs for the transition:

1. A President of the transition preferably civilian (But if by consensus a military is appointed this should not be a problem)
2. A mission government headed by a soldier (or necessarily a civilian with extended powers, if the President is a soldier) and composed of 15 ministerial posts, the main ones of which will be:
   • Ministry of Defense and Internal Security (one soldier)
   • Ministry of Territorial Administration (One soldier)
   • A finance minister (a civilian from a CSO)
   • Ministry of Justice (designated by the magistrates)
   • Ministry of Education (nominated by teachers’ unions)
   • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (A policy)
   • Ministry of Health (Appointed by professional health orders in Mali)
   • Ministry of Information and New Technologies (A civilian from CSOs including the media umbrella)
   • Ministry of Youth and Gender (A civilian from CSO)
   • The other six positions (to be defined) will be occupied by politicians (4 positions) and the military (2 positions)
3. A watch committee formed by the moral authorities of the republic whose role will be to monitor the road watch
4. A constituent assembly made up of the vital forces of the nation (politicians, CSOs, moral authorities, etc.).

The main role of the constituent should be to revise the constitution and organize the presidential election.