Mali's national assembly has overwhelmingly voted to drop charges of high treason against former president Amadou Toumani Toure in a decision that should allow him to return from exile in Senegal. The move late on Friday was expected given that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita often praises Toure. It advances the rehabilitation of a former leader widely seen as having helped to establish democracy in the West African country.
"I confirm the abandonment of the charges against him was adopted by the majority of deputies," said Mamadou Diarrassouba of the ruling RPM party on Saturday.