Mali conflict: ECOWAS calls for resignation of MPs to resolve crisis

Mali's Prime Minister Boubou Cisse walks with Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo upon his arrival in Bamako, Mali July 23, 2020. /Press Service of Prime Ministers Office

West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Monday released a four-point plan after asummit held via video link in an attempt to restore political stability in Mali.

This is the latest attempt by ECOWAS to resolve the political impasse in Mali after two efforts at mediation this month failed to yield any fruits.

The plan calls for 31 Malian MPs elected in a disputed vote to resign from their positions. The resignation of the MPs will pave way for elections in those local areas to be held afresh.

In the proposal, ECOWAS also called for a quick establishment of national unity government in the country.

Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, who is the head of ECOWAS, had earlier on called on his fellow leaders to take “lasting and strong decisions”to resolve Mali's political crisis.

Issoufou stressed that Mali risked being plunged into further chaos if the crisis was not resolved. He also restated the desire to implement earlier recommendations proposed by mediators.

Protests against the Malian government erupted in early June after the opposition rejected compromises by President Keita following the outcome of disputed parliamentary elections held in March and April.

Keita dissolved the Constitutional Court and said he would implement recommendations by ECOWAS, which included re-running some of March's contested legislative elections. Despite this, the opposition maintained that they would be satisfied only if Keita resigned.

However, there are other underlying reasons behind the protests such as the government's handling of the jihadist insurgency, state corruption and the economic crisis facing the country.

(With input from the agencies)