The Malian government has adopted a bill suspending...

The Malian government has adopted a bill suspending the death sentence for two years. Malian authorities explained that the adoption of such a measure is to lawfully approve the suspension of the implementation of the death sentence provided for by the criminal code, but not applied since 1984.
The two-year moratorium does not in any way mean that the death sentence is abolished in Mali, the government explained, adding that the provision is expected to provide the opportunity to discuss its maintenance or abolition.
It would be recalled that the Malian head of State, Alpha Oumar Konare, whose second and last five-year presidential mandate expires on 8 June, has always been favourable to the abolition of capital punishment in Mali.