Mali’s opposition coalition group on Tuesday rejected the proposal put forward by West African leaders group for ending the ongoing political crisis in the country, reported Reuters.
Tens of thousands of people began mass protests in early June over contested local elections, perceived government corruption and incompetence. The protestors are demanding President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to step down over his failure to end corruption. The rejection has raised the prospect of more mass anti-government demonstrations in the coming weeks.
On Monday, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) proposed a four-point plan that called for stepping down of all the members of parliament whose elections were contested and conducting by-elections. It called for a rapid establishment of a unity government and urged the opposition to join it. It also suggested for an inquiry into the death of the protesters.
Later on Monday, President Keita responded with a cabinet reshuffle naming six ministers to core positions, including Tiebile Drame as foreign minister and General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele as defence minister. They are tasked with negotiating with the opposition to form the government of national unity.
But the M5-RFP opposition coalition, which has spearheaded anti-Keita protests and already rejected an earlier version of the proposals from the bloc, rejected the plea again.
“The M5-RFP states with regret that the conclusions of the Heads of State Summit do not take into account the depth and gravity of the sociopolitical crisis that has Mali’s future hanging in the balance,” it said in a statement.
The opposition group said the proposals did not correspond to the expectations and aspirations of the people of Mali and violate the laws and constitution of Mali. It warned that it would restart the protests on August 3 if their demands are not met.
The political unrest has raised concerns that it could derail the fight against Islamist extremists in the region.
