Mali PM urges unity govt after opposition rejects compromise

BAMAKO: Mali's Prime Minister Boubou Cisse urged political opponents to join a new government Tuesday, after they raised the spectre of further unrest by rejecting a compromise to end weeks of political crisis.

In a public address, Cisse said that the opposition -- which is insisting that President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resign -- is "strongly desired" in a new unity government.

The announcement came a day after heads of the 15-nation regional bloc ECOWAS stood by Keita and urged him to forge a unity government and resolve an election dispute that has sparked outrage.

But it also followed the so-called June 5 Movement's rejection of that proposed comprise on Tuesday, when it said it wanted "more than ever" for Keita to resign.

The loose alliance of opposition groups and religious leaders has been channelling deep anger in Mali over a dire economy, perceived corruption and a brutal jihadist conflict.

The standoff between Keita and his opponents has alarmed Mali's international allies and neighbours, who are keen to avoid a descent into chaos.

After endorsing a compromise plan on Monday, ECOWAS -- whose leaders conferred by video link -- warned of sanctions against those who oppose its efforts at "normalisation".

Within hours, Keita named a stripped-down cabinet with ministers for security, justice, foreign affairs and finance, and tasked it with negotiating the formation of a unity government.

But in scathing language, the June 5 Movement said it had "learned of the conclusions of the extraordinary summit with astonishment."

ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- "is continuing to reduce the socio-political crisis in Mali to a simple electoral dispute over the second round of the legislative elections," it said.

The proposals "do not meet the expectations and aspirations of the Malian people in any form," the statement said.

The June 5 Movement later postponed a press conference, without offering reasons.

Behind-the-scenes talks nonetheless appeared to be underway, however.

On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Cisse visited the residence of Mahmoud Dicko, a Saudi-trained imam who is considered the June 5 Movement's figurehead, an AFP journalist saw.

Keita, who has been in power since 2013, is battling major problems on several fronts, including a brutal eight-year-old jihadist revolt and a slumping economy.

But much of Mali's current tension was sparked in April, when the Constitutional Court tossed out 31 results from long-delayed parliamentary elections -- a move that benefited Keita's party.

Protests ratcheted up into a crisis on July 10 when an anti-Keita rally organised by the June 5 Movement turned violent.

Eleven people died in clashes with security forces over several days, marking the bloodiest political unrest the former French colony has seen in years.

Seeking resolution, ECOWAS mediators this month suggested forming a new government of national unity and appointing new judges to the Consitutional Court to revisit the election dispute.

But the opposition flatly rejected their proposals, insisting that the 75-year-old president resign.

Five African presidents flew to Mali for a one-day mediation mission last Thursday to bolster support for the proposals, but were again rebuffed.

Dicko said last week that he would "prefer to die as a martyr rather than die as a traitor. The young people who lost their lives (in the protests) did not lose them for nothing."

Tuesday's rejection marks the third time Mali's opposition has dismissed the compromise plan, raising the prospect of further unrest.

Political instability in the war-torn Sahel nation has also sparked fear of further jihadist conflict.

President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, who also currently heads ECOWAS, warned his fellow leaders during Monday's summit that Mali risked falling prey to Islamist militants.

But the June 5 Movement responded Tuesday that the West African bloc was "brandishing the terrorist-Islamist scarecrow" to distract from legitimate concerns about Keita.

It added that the Malian people would "remain mobilised and determined to enforce its constitutional right to civil disobedience".

Yaya Ouattara, a 27-year-old student, told AFP that he had thought ECOWAS was no longer a "presidents' syndicate" -- echoing widespread criticism of the clannishness of regional leaders.

"It was a big surprise when they ignored the real problems of Malians," he said.

The June 5 Movement had earlier said that a truce would hold until July 31, but some younger opposition members had announced they would resume protests after August 3.