The American envoy to Mali says U.S. government’s suspension of military aid to Mali will remain in place until the country has held elections.

J. Peter Pham told reporters on a conference call Wednesday that cooperation with international partners in Mali, including the French-counter terrorism force Barkhane and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region, will continue.

The U.S. suspended all cooperation with Mali’s military after the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita by army officers on August 18. 

The nation’s junta last month appointed a retired army officer as transitional president to lead the nation until elections take place in 18 months.