It said its mediator would continue talks with the Malian authorities "with a view of reaching a mutually acceptable transitional agreement that will ensure Ecowas' support".

On Monday, Mali’s junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, signed a decree fixing the length of the transition period to 24 months starting from March this year.

The army initially seized power in 2020 and has been under international pressure to hold elections sooner - the junta had initially agreed to hold them in February this year.

When Mali missed this deadline, Ecowas imposed stiff sanctions.

Over the weekend, an Ecowas meeting decided to keep the measures in place but is due to meet by next month to review the progress.