A plan to extend military rule in Mali by several more years has been met with harsh criticism by political parties and civic groups in the West African country. Participants in Mali’s national dialogue recommended at the weekend that the junta continue to rule for another three years until the military-led transition to democracy is complete. It also said that junta leader Assimi Goïta should stand in the election to be held once democracy is realized. The national dialogue had been taking place for more than three months and included members of political and religious groups – but it was boy…