Mali opposition group on Sunday rejected a proposal brought forward by regional mediators with an aim to end the political crisis in the country in which at least 11 people have been killed this month during anti-government protests, reported Reuters.
The people of Mali have been protesting since early June demanding the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who still has three years left in his final term. Keita won the 2013 vote, but corruption allegations have ruined his public image.
On Sunday, the June 5 Movement turned down a proposal presented by mediators from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) that called for the formation of a unity government in the country led by President Keita.
The mediators proposed that Keita’s current government constitute 50 percent of a new unity government, while a proposed 30 percent would be from the opposition and the remaining 20 percent from civil society groups. They also suggested the appointment of new judges to the country’s constitutional court, to resolve a dispute over the March-April parliamentary election.
The M5-RFP coalition, which has led the protests, dismissed the recommendations.
“(ECOWAS) came to support Keita and threaten the M5-RFP. All they want is their vision, Keita’s vision, but not ours,” said coalition spokesman Nouhoum Togo.
The anti-government protests were put on hold during talks with mediators from the 15-nation regional bloc known as ECOWAS. But, Togo said further protests were inevitable until Keita resigns.
Notably, President Keita has already conceded to a previous opposition demand to dissolve the country’s Constitutional Court. But the protest coalition has hardened since police fired on protesters and leading protest members were arrested this month.
The coalition claims 20 people have been killed in the protests this month, but the Mali Health Ministry has put the toll at 11.
