The protest coalition that campaigned against former Mali president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has proposed that the military junta that ousted him organise a transition to civilian rule within 24 months, one of its leaders said Sunday.

Military rulers received representatives of the June 5 Movement at the Kati barracks near Bamako late Saturday, after announcing they would postpone a meeting with civic groups, political organisations and former rebels on the transfer of power due to "organisational reasons".

The protest movement has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition, in keeping with its role in spearheading Keita's ouster.

It has proposed "a transition of 18 to 24 months" with civilians heading a transitional presidency, government and assembly, one of the movement's leaders, Choguel Maiga, told AFP.

It also called for "a committee to monitor and supervise the transition which will be composed of a majority of members of the junta and the (June 5 Movement)," he said.

The junta did not comment on the meeting.

The August 18 coup has prompted the West African country's neighbours and ally France to call for a swift transfer of power, amid heightened worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise.

French Defence Minister Florence Parly told media Sunday that any delay in restoring civilian rule would benefit terrorists.

Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, warned Friday that the military rulers did not have "carte blanche".

Dicko's spokesman Issa Kaou Djim later expanded on this, saying the imam "said the people have started to doubt" the junta.

Within hours of taking control, the junta pledged to enact a political transition and stage elections within a "reasonable time".

Chief envoy of the regional bloc ECOWAS, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, said last week that the coup leaders wanted a three-year transition period.

This was rejected by the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States, which has demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months.

The protest coalition that campaigned against former Mali president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has proposed that the military junta that ousted him organise a transition to civilian rule within 24 months, one of its leaders said Sunday.

The protest coalition that campaigned against former Mali president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has proposed that the military junta that ousted him organise a transition to civilian rule within 24 months, one of its leaders said Sunday. Military rulers received representatives of the June 5 Movement at the Kati barracks near Bamako late Saturday, after announcing they would postpone a meeting with civic groups, political organisations and former rebels on the transfer of power due to "organisational reasons". The protest movement has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition, in keeping with its role in spearheading Keita's ouster. It has proposed "a transition of 18 to 24 months" with civilians heading a transitional presidency, government and assembly, one of the movement's leaders, Choguel Maiga, told AFP. It also called for "a committee to monitor and supervise the transition which will be composed of a majority of members of the junta and the (June 5 Movement)," he said. The junta did not comment on the meeting. The August 18 coup has prompted the West African country's neighbours and ally France to call for a swift transfer of power, amid heightened worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise. French Defence Minister Florence Parly told media Sunday that any delay in restoring civilian rule would benefit terrorists. Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, warned Friday that the military rulers did not have "carte blanche". Dicko's spokesman Issa Kaou Djim later expanded on this, saying the imam "said the people have started to doubt" the junta. Within hours of taking control, the junta pledged to enact a political transition and stage elections within a "reasonable time". Chief envoy of the regional bloc ECOWAS, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, said last week that the coup leaders wanted a three-year transition period. This was rejected by the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States, which has demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months.

Mali protest movement proposes 2-year transition to civilian rule

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup.

The junta had invited civic groups, political organisations and former rebels to consultations on Saturday, but said in a statement that the meeting was postponed to a later date.

A protest coalition that had campaigned against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the June 5 Movement, had not been invited to participate in the meeting.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-junta-wants-military-rule-for-three-years-agrees-to-free-president-322652">Also read:&nbsp;Mali junta wants military rule for three years, agrees to free president</a>

The group has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition to civilian rule which the military has promised, though without a timetable.

After an escalating series of mass protests, young army officers mutinied on August 18, seizing Keita and other leaders and declaring they now governed the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-african-leaders-add-to-pressure-on-mali-after-coup-322437">Also read:&nbsp;West African leaders add to pressure on Mali after coup</a>

The coup shocked Mali's West African neighbours and ally France, heightening worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise.

Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, said Friday that the new military rulers did not have "carte blanche".

His comments came as a new document published on the Malian government's Official Journal said the junta's head had been effectively invested with the powers of head of state.&nbsp;

West African leaders, meanwhile, on Friday demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months as they considered sanctions.

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup.

Mali military rulers said on Saturday they were postponing their first meeting over the transfer of powers due to "organisational reasons" nearly two weeks after ousting the president in a coup. The junta had invited civic groups, political organisations and former rebels to consultations on Saturday, but said in a statement that the meeting was postponed to a later date. A protest coalition that had campaigned against former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the June 5 Movement, had not been invited to participate in the meeting. Also read: Mali junta wants military rule for three years, agrees to free president The group has demanded that the military junta give it a role in the transition to civilian rule which the military has promised, though without a timetable. After an escalating series of mass protests, young army officers mutinied on August 18, seizing Keita and other leaders and declaring they now governed the country. Also read: West African leaders add to pressure on Mali after coup The coup shocked Mali's West African neighbours and ally France, heightening worries over instability in a country already struggling with an Islamist insurgency, ethnic violence and economic malaise. Mali's influential imam Mahmoud Dicko, a key player in the mass opposition protests that led to Keita's ouster, said Friday that the new military rulers did not have "carte blanche". His comments came as a new document published on the Malian government's Official Journal said the junta's head had been effectively invested with the powers of head of state. West African leaders, meanwhile, on Friday demanded an immediate civilian transition and elections within 12 months as they considered sanctions.

Mali junta postpones first meeting over transfer of powers

Mali's new military junta said Thursday it would put in place a transitional government as its West Africa neighbours said they would dispatch envoys to help secure "the immediate return of constitutional order" and called for its ousted president to be restored to office.

Rebel soldiers seized power on Tuesday, detaining President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other officials in a fresh setback for a country battling chronic instability and a jihadist revolt.

"We are going to set in place a transitional council, with a transitional president who is going to be either military or civilian," junta spokesman Ismael Wague said in an interview with the TV channel France 24.

"We are in contact with civil society, opposition parties, the majority, everyone, to try to set the transition in place," he said, adding that the transition "will be the shortest possible".

The comments came after the regional bloc ECOWAS voiced its support for Keita and "constitutional order."

"We have decided to immediately send a high-level delegation in order to ensure the immediate return of constitutional order," Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said at the end of a video summit Thursday.

Issoufou said that through talks, ECOWAS would "convey to the leaders of the military junta that the times of taking power by force are over in this region."

The coup is Mali's second in eight years.

A putsch in 2012 was followed by an insurrection in the north of the country which developed into a jihadist insurgency that now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

Thousands of UN and French troops, along with soldiers from five Sahel countries, have been deployed to try to stem the bloodshed.

"Mali is in a critical situation, with serious risks that a collapse of the state and institutions leads to reversals in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, with every consequence for all our community," Issoufou warned.

Keita's overthrow culminated months-long protests in which ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- had tried to play a mediating role.

The bloc proposed setting up a unity government including opposition representatives, but also stood firmly by the 75-year-old Keita. The package was bluntly rejected by the opposition.

In addition to the president and the prime minister, the military detained Defence Minister Ibrahima Dahirou Dembele; Security Minister M'Bemba Moussa Keita; and the president of the National Assembly, Moussa Timbine, according to various sources.

They also arrested army chief of staff General Abdoulaye Coulibaly; the president's personal chief of staff, General Oumar Dao; air force chief General Souleymane Doucoure; and the head of the National Guard, Ouahoun Kone.

The African Union, the European Union, United States and UN Security Council have all condemned the putsch and demanded the release of detained leaders.

Reports of deaths

Calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, under the leadership of a colonel named Assimi Goita, the junta vowed on Wednesday to stage elections within a "reasonable time" and respect "all past agreements," including international anti-jihadist missions.

It also urged citizens to return to normal life and warned against acts of vandalism after some buildings were torched.

Soldiers were stationed in Bamako Thursday in front of the administrative centre which houses most of the ministries.

Markets were open and Malians, who seemed to generally welcome the change of regime, went about their business as usual.

The junta said that the country's land and air borders -- closed after the coup -- would reopen on Friday.

Amnesty International joined calls for the immediate release of all those arrested during the coup and for an investigation into the reported deaths of four people during Tuesday's events.

The NGO said 15 others were wounded.

"All the victims were hit by bullets in unclear circumstances and were sent to the Gabriel Toure hospital in the capital Bamako," Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's director for West and Central Africa, said in a statement.

The junta has denied that there were any casualties during the mutiny.

ECOWAS comprises 15 members, including Mali, but within hours of Keita's overthrow, the group announced it was immediately suspending the country from its internal decision-making bodies.

That statement also called for the immediate release of Keita and other detained leaders, said its members would close land and air borders to Mali and threatened sanctions against the coup leaders.

It also requested an "immediate buildup" of the ECOWAS Standby Force, a multidisciplinary force of military, civilian and police personnel.

ECOWAS has intervened in several crises in West Africa, including in The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Public anger

Keita won election in a landslide in 2013, putting himself forward as a unifying figure in a fractured country.

He was re-elected in 2018, defeating Cisse.

But public anger snowballed over his failure to roll back a bloody jihadist revolt, mixing explosively with frustration at Mali's moribund economy and perceptions of government graft.

Mass protests began after long-delayed legislative elections in April were followed by a disputed outcome.

On Wednesday, the June 5 Movement, a broad coalition of protest groups, said it "took note of the (junta's) commitment" for a civilian transition.

It promised to work with it on "developing a roadmap," and said it planned to organise large rallies on Friday to "celebrate the victory of the Malian people".

Mali's new military junta said Thursday it would put in place a transitional government as its West Africa neighbours said they would dispatch envoys to help secure "the immediate return of constitutional order" and called for its ousted president to be restored to office.

Mali's new military junta said Thursday it would put in place a transitional government as its West Africa neighbours said they would dispatch envoys to help secure "the immediate return of constitutional order" and called for its ousted president to be restored to office. Rebel soldiers seized power on Tuesday, detaining President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other officials in a fresh setback for a country battling chronic instability and a jihadist revolt. "We are going to set in place a transitional council, with a transitional president who is going to be either military or civilian," junta spokesman Ismael Wague said in an interview with the TV channel France 24. "We are in contact with civil society, opposition parties, the majority, everyone, to try to set the transition in place," he said, adding that the transition "will be the shortest possible". The comments came after the regional bloc ECOWAS voiced its support for Keita and "constitutional order." "We have decided to immediately send a high-level delegation in order to ensure the immediate return of constitutional order," Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou said at the end of a video summit Thursday. Issoufou said that through talks, ECOWAS would "convey to the leaders of the military junta that the times of taking power by force are over in this region." The coup is Mali's second in eight years. A putsch in 2012 was followed by an insurrection in the north of the country which developed into a jihadist insurgency that now threatens neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso. Thousands of UN and French troops, along with soldiers from five Sahel countries, have been deployed to try to stem the bloodshed. "Mali is in a critical situation, with serious risks that a collapse of the state and institutions leads to reversals in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, with every consequence for all our community," Issoufou warned. Keita's overthrow culminated months-long protests in which ECOWAS -- the Economic Community of West African States -- had tried to play a mediating role. The bloc proposed setting up a unity government including opposition representatives, but also stood firmly by the 75-year-old Keita. The package was bluntly rejected by the opposition. In addition to the president and the prime minister, the military detained Defence Minister Ibrahima Dahirou Dembele; Security Minister M'Bemba Moussa Keita; and the president of the National Assembly, Moussa Timbine, according to various sources. They also arrested army chief of staff General Abdoulaye Coulibaly; the president's personal chief of staff, General Oumar Dao; air force chief General Souleymane Doucoure; and the head of the National Guard, Ouahoun Kone. The African Union, the European Union, United States and UN Security Council have all condemned the putsch and demanded the release of detained leaders. Reports of deaths Calling itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, under the leadership of a colonel named Assimi Goita, the junta vowed on Wednesday to stage elections within a "reasonable time" and respect "all past agreements," including international anti-jihadist missions. It also urged citizens to return to normal life and warned against acts of vandalism after some buildings were torched. Soldiers were stationed in Bamako Thursday in front of the administrative centre which houses most of the ministries. Markets were open and Malians, who seemed to generally welcome the change of regime, went about their business as usual. The junta said that the country's land and air borders -- closed after the coup -- would reopen on Friday. Amnesty International joined calls for the immediate release of all those arrested during the coup and for an investigation into the reported deaths of four people during Tuesday's events. The NGO said 15 others were wounded. "All the victims were hit by bullets in unclear circumstances and were sent to the Gabriel Toure hospital in the capital Bamako," Samira Daoud, Amnesty International's director for West and Central Africa, said in a statement. The junta has denied that there were any casualties during the mutiny. ECOWAS comprises 15 members, including Mali, but within hours of Keita's overthrow, the group announced it was immediately suspending the country from its internal decision-making bodies. That statement also called for the immediate release of Keita and other detained leaders, said its members would close land and air borders to Mali and threatened sanctions against the coup leaders. It also requested an "immediate buildup" of the ECOWAS Standby Force, a multidisciplinary force of military, civilian and police personnel. ECOWAS has intervened in several crises in West Africa, including in The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Public anger Keita won election in a landslide in 2013, putting himself forward as a unifying figure in a fractured country. He was re-elected in 2018, defeating Cisse. But public anger snowballed over his failure to roll back a bloody jihadist revolt, mixing explosively with frustration at Mali's moribund economy and perceptions of government graft. Mass protests began after long-delayed legislative elections in April were followed by a disputed outcome. On Wednesday, the June 5 Movement, a broad coalition of protest groups, said it "took note of the (junta's) commitment" for a civilian transition. It promised to work with it on "developing a roadmap," and said it planned to organise large rallies on Friday to "celebrate the victory of the Malian people".

Mali junta plans 'transitional' govt as West African bloc stands by Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

Months long anti-government protest in Mali has now culminated in a military coup but mutinous soldiers at the Garrison City. Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta who is currently in military custody resigned on state television a short time back. Watch the WION report on Nigeria.

Military coup in Mali: President Keita resigns on state TV | Military leaders vow fresh election

WION Dispatch: Indian mission in Mali advises caution for Indian citizens amidst coup

Months long anti-government protest in Mali has now culminated in a military coup but mutinous soldiers at the Garrison City. Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta who is currently in military custody resigned on state television a short time back.

A military coup in Mali: Mali's President dissolve dafter coup | World News

Military coup in Mali: Months long protests culminate in a coup

Amid rising anti-government protests in the country,&nbsp;Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has announced the dissolution of the constitutional court on Saturday.

The decision came after the protestors in the country had been demanding resignation of the President over various allegations of corruption and for handling the country;s economy in a bad way.

The constitutional court had been the centre of debate almost for the pas three months after&nbsp;it overturned provisional results for a parliamentary poll, triggering protests in several cities in the African country's latest crisis.

"I have decided to repeal the licences of the remaining members of the constitutional court... this de facto dissolution of the court will enable us, from next week, to ask relevant authorities to nominate new members so that the reformed court can quickly help us find solutions to the disputes arising from the legislative elections," the president said in a television address.

The statement was issued after the&nbsp;Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cisse promised citizens to form an open government.&nbsp;"The president and I remain open to dialogue. I will very quickly set up an executive with the intention of being open to facing the challenges of the day," he said.

Amid rising anti-government protests in the country, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has announced the dissolution of the constitutional court on Saturday.

Amid rising anti-government protests in the country, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has announced the dissolution of the constitutional court on Saturday. The decision came after the protestors in the country had been demanding resignation of the President over various allegations of corruption and for handling the country;s economy in a bad way. The constitutional court had been the centre of debate almost for the pas three months after it overturned provisional results for a parliamentary poll, triggering protests in several cities in the African country's latest crisis. "I have decided to repeal the licences of the remaining members of the constitutional court... this de facto dissolution of the court will enable us, from next week, to ask relevant authorities to nominate new members so that the reformed court can quickly help us find solutions to the disputes arising from the legislative elections," the president said in a television address. The statement was issued after the Malian Prime Minister Boubou Cisse promised citizens to form an open government. "The president and I remain open to dialogue. I will very quickly set up an executive with the intention of being open to facing the challenges of the day," he said.

Mali President dissolves constitutional court; reformation process starts next week

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has appealed for citizens to unite behind the country's army after the latest <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attack-on-mali-military-post-kills-53-soldiers-259378">deadly militant strike</a> killed more than 40 soldiers.

The president has declared three days of mourning after Friday's attack on an army base in Indelimane, the northeast of the country near the border with Niger.

"In these particularly serious circumstances where the stability and existence of our country are at stake, our only response must be national unity, the sacred union around our national army," he said in a statement Monday night.

He added that the support of foreign forces, including from France, Africa and the United Nations, is "necessary more than ever".

Friday's assault was the latest to target Mali's military, which is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that began in the north and spread to the centre of the country. At least 40 troops were killed a month ago in a double attack near the Burkina Faso border.

Islamic State-allied militants claimed responsibility for the Indelimane strike during which gunmen on motorbikes attacked the base in three different groups, according to Malian army sources and a UN document seen by AFP.

Authorities say at least 49 soldiers were killed.

Over the weekend two more Malian soldiers were also killed by a roadside bomb and a French soldier was also killed when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Northern Mali fell into the hands of jihadists in 2012 before the militants were forced out by a French-led military intervention. But the jihadists have regrouped to carry out hit-and-run strikes in violence that has spread to central Mali.

France still has around 4,500 troops in the country as part of its Barkhane operation and is looking to hand more responsibility to local forces.

French Armed Forces Minister, Florence Parly, on an official visit to the Sahel called for "patience" in the battle against the militants.

"This is a fight where we have to have patience," she said on a visit to Barkhane operations in the Chad capital N'Djamena. "We still need time for the local forces to build up their resilience."

Neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger have also been infiltrated by insurgents, at the cost of hundreds of lives.

The G5 Sahel, a five-nation joint taskforce set up in 2014 to tackle the jihadist threat, is also active in the region. It comprises troops from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has appealed for citizens to unite behind the country's army after the latest deadly militant strike killed more than 40 soldiers.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has appealed for citizens to unite behind the country's army after the latest deadly militant strike killed more than 40 soldiers. The president has declared three days of mourning after Friday's attack on an army base in Indelimane, the northeast of the country near the border with Niger. "In these particularly serious circumstances where the stability and existence of our country are at stake, our only response must be national unity, the sacred union around our national army," he said in a statement Monday night. He added that the support of foreign forces, including from France, Africa and the United Nations, is "necessary more than ever". Friday's assault was the latest to target Mali's military, which is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that began in the north and spread to the centre of the country. At least 40 troops were killed a month ago in a double attack near the Burkina Faso border. Islamic State-allied militants claimed responsibility for the Indelimane strike during which gunmen on motorbikes attacked the base in three different groups, according to Malian army sources and a UN document seen by AFP. Authorities say at least 49 soldiers were killed. Over the weekend two more Malian soldiers were also killed by a roadside bomb and a French soldier was also killed when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. Northern Mali fell into the hands of jihadists in 2012 before the militants were forced out by a French-led military intervention. But the jihadists have regrouped to carry out hit-and-run strikes in violence that has spread to central Mali. France still has around 4,500 troops in the country as part of its Barkhane operation and is looking to hand more responsibility to local forces. French Armed Forces Minister, Florence Parly, on an official visit to the Sahel called for "patience" in the battle against the militants. "This is a fight where we have to have patience," she said on a visit to Barkhane operations in the Chad capital N'Djamena. "We still need time for the local forces to build up their resilience." Neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger have also been infiltrated by insurgents, at the cost of hundreds of lives. The G5 Sahel, a five-nation joint taskforce set up in 2014 to tackle the jihadist threat, is also active in the region. It comprises troops from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Chad.

Mali president says stability at stake after deadly army base attack

Mali's president has named a new government after its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-government-resigns-after-massacre-insecurity-211722">predecessor resigned last month amid widespread protests</a> over an upsurge of deadly inter-communal violence, a presidency statement said.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday announced the new executive of 37 members under Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, who was appointed on April 22 to oversee the formation of a "broad-based" government.

Last week, Cisse signed a pact with opposition and majority party representatives in the capital Bamako, declaring their willingness to set up a "politically-inclusive" new government.

Cisse's predecessor Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and his entire cabinet resigned on April 18 following the massacre of some 160 members of the Fulani herding community on March 23 in the village of Ogossagou near Mali's border with Burkina Faso.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on April 5 to protest against an upsurge of violence that has claimed around 600 lives, and which demonstrators said the government had failed to stop.

The new executive has as its foreign minister Tiebile Drame, who led the election campaign of opposition member Soumaila Cisse against Keita in 2018.

Cisse's URD party said it would continue to play a "constructive" opposition role.

UN scandal

The key portfolio of defence went to General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele, former army chief of staff under the junta that emerged from a 2012 coup.

The role of justice minister went to Malick Coulibaly, president of Mali's National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH), who has held the post before.

UNAIDS chief Michel Sidibe, whose tenure at the agency was marred by allegations of serious mismanagement, was appointed health minister, the agency said.&nbsp;

It was not immediately clear whether Sidibe will leave his UN post. But he had been scheduled to stand down in June following widespread concerns over his conduct in office, including his handling of sexual assault allegations against one of his top deputies.

The new Mali government includes ten women, more than a quarter of the total but fewer than the previous team, which boasted about a third.

Since the appearance of a jihadist group under preacher Amadou Koufa in central Mali in 2015, recruiting mainly among the Dogon -- a hunting and farming community -- clashes between the Dogon and the nomadic Fulani have intensified.

Last week, the UN's MINUSMA mission said the Ogossagou massacre had been "planned, organised and coordinated" and could constitute a "crime against humanity."

Mali's president has named a new government after its predecessor resigned last month amid widespread protests over an upsurge of deadly inter-communal violence, a presidency statement said.

Mali's president has named a new government after its predecessor resigned last month amid widespread protests over an upsurge of deadly inter-communal violence, a presidency statement said. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday announced the new executive of 37 members under Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, who was appointed on April 22 to oversee the formation of a "broad-based" government. Last week, Cisse signed a pact with opposition and majority party representatives in the capital Bamako, declaring their willingness to set up a "politically-inclusive" new government. Cisse's predecessor Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and his entire cabinet resigned on April 18 following the massacre of some 160 members of the Fulani herding community on March 23 in the village of Ogossagou near Mali's border with Burkina Faso. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on April 5 to protest against an upsurge of violence that has claimed around 600 lives, and which demonstrators said the government had failed to stop. The new executive has as its foreign minister Tiebile Drame, who led the election campaign of opposition member Soumaila Cisse against Keita in 2018. Cisse's URD party said it would continue to play a "constructive" opposition role. UN scandal The key portfolio of defence went to General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele, former army chief of staff under the junta that emerged from a 2012 coup. The role of justice minister went to Malick Coulibaly, president of Mali's National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH), who has held the post before. UNAIDS chief Michel Sidibe, whose tenure at the agency was marred by allegations of serious mismanagement, was appointed health minister, the agency said. It was not immediately clear whether Sidibe will leave his UN post. But he had been scheduled to stand down in June following widespread concerns over his conduct in office, including his handling of sexual assault allegations against one of his top deputies. The new Mali government includes ten women, more than a quarter of the total but fewer than the previous team, which boasted about a third. Since the appearance of a jihadist group under preacher Amadou Koufa in central Mali in 2015, recruiting mainly among the Dogon -- a hunting and farming community -- clashes between the Dogon and the nomadic Fulani have intensified. Last week, the UN's MINUSMA mission said the Ogossagou massacre had been "planned, organised and coordinated" and could constitute a "crime against humanity."

Mali gets new government after protests

Mali's prime minister and his whole government resigned on Thursday, four weeks after a massacre of some 160 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/about-60-fulani-herders-killed-in-apparent-ethnic-attack-in-mali-mayor-205132&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj3m4qnx9vhAhXEMY8KHRp6CgUQFggOMAM&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw2rC5fYp7LvQBcd7SUD1ig0">Fulani herders</a> by an ethnic vigilante group shocked the nation.

"The President accepts the resignation of the prime minister and that of the members of government," a statement from President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's office said.

It gave no reason for the departure of Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, but legislators had discussed on Wednesday a possible motion of no confidence in the government because of the massacre and failure to disarm militias or beat back Islamist militants.

The March 23 killings by suspected hunters from the Dogon community on Ogossagou, a village in central Mali populated by rival Fulani herders, were bloody even by the recent standards of Mali's ever-worsening violence.

They followed a deadly assault by jihadists on an army post that killed at least 23 soldiers, also in Mali's central region, which was claimed by an al Qaeda affiliate that counts many Fulani herders in its ranks.

Malian authorities have detained five people suspected of taking part in the massacre. But they have not yet succeeded in disarming the militia that many believe organised it, despite pledges by Maiga and Keita to do so.

The largely Saharan nation has been in turmoil since a rebellion by Tuaregs and allied jihadists took over half the country in 2012, prompting the French to intervene to push them back the following year. 
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Mali's prime minister and his whole government resigned on Thursday, four weeks after a massacre of some 160 Fulani herders by an ethnic vigilante group shocked the nation.

Mali's prime minister and his whole government resigned on Thursday, four weeks after a massacre of some 160 Fulani herders by an ethnic vigilante group shocked the nation. "The President accepts the resignation of the prime minister and that of the members of government," a statement from President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's office said. It gave no reason for the departure of Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, but legislators had discussed on Wednesday a possible motion of no confidence in the government because of the massacre and failure to disarm militias or beat back Islamist militants. The March 23 killings by suspected hunters from the Dogon community on Ogossagou, a village in central Mali populated by rival Fulani herders, were bloody even by the recent standards of Mali's ever-worsening violence. They followed a deadly assault by jihadists on an army post that killed at least 23 soldiers, also in Mali's central region, which was claimed by an al Qaeda affiliate that counts many Fulani herders in its ranks. Malian authorities have detained five people suspected of taking part in the massacre. But they have not yet succeeded in disarming the militia that many believe organised it, despite pledges by Maiga and Keita to do so. The largely Saharan nation has been in turmoil since a rebellion by Tuaregs and allied jihadists took over half the country in 2012, prompting the French to intervene to push them back the following year.

Mali government resigns after massacre of 160 Fulani herders

Mali&#39;s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday said his people would not be frightened by &quot;barbaric attacks&quot; after unidentified gunmen killed at least 14 soldiers in a pre-dawn assault on a military camp.

West Africa&#39;s arid Sahel region is suffering a spike in violence by militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State, that is drawing an increasingly aggressive response from countries including France and the United States.

A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali&#39;s Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio.

It said 14 soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded, adding that 17 of the attackers had been killed in the battle.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

&quot;The soldiers abandoned their position. The enemy carried away material,&quot; said one army officer, who said the camp had been overrun and asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Islamist fighters seized control of Mali&#39;s northern desert regions in 2012 before being driven back by a French-led intervention a year later.

But despite the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping mission and troops operating under a regional French anti-militant mission, violence is again on the rise and attacks are spreading further south towards the capital, Bamako.

&quot;These barbaric attacks will not scare us. On the contrary, they reinforce our determination to fight against the terrorists,&quot; President Keita said, speaking in the central Mali village of Boni where 26 people were killed on Thursday.

Those victims were travelling from neighbouring Burkina Faso in a civilian passenger vehicle when it struck a landmine.

In a separate incident on the same day in the nearby town of Youwarou, the Malian military said its forces repelled an attack by suspected Islamist fighters.

Mali and its western neighbour Senegal plan to deploy 1,000 troops soon in an operation to pacify central Mali and contain jihadists who had previously been confined to its Saharan expanses in the north.

But analysts doubt they will be able to do so purely through military means. The Islamists exploit the grievances of Fulani cattle herders and their disputes with local farmers over access to grazing lands.

The government&#39;s periodic crackdowns on suspected jihadists have therefore tended to target the Fulani, driving some of them into the arms of the armed groups.

A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali's Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio.

Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Saturday said his people would not be frightened by "barbaric attacks" after unidentified gunmen killed at least 14 soldiers in a pre-dawn assault on a military camp. West Africa's arid Sahel region is suffering a spike in violence by militant groups, some with links to al Qaeda and Islamic State, that is drawing an increasingly aggressive response from countries including France and the United States. A group of around 30 heavily armed fighters attacked the military camp in Soumpi, located in the centre of the country near the southern boundary of Mali's Timbuktu region, according to an army statement read on state radio. It said 14 soldiers were killed and 15 others were wounded, adding that 17 of the attackers had been killed in the battle. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. "The soldiers abandoned their position. The enemy carried away material," said one army officer, who said the camp had been overrun and asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. Islamist fighters seized control of Mali's northern desert regions in 2012 before being driven back by a French-led intervention a year later. But despite the presence of a U.N. peacekeeping mission and troops operating under a regional French anti-militant mission, violence is again on the rise and attacks are spreading further south towards the capital, Bamako. "These barbaric attacks will not scare us. On the contrary, they reinforce our determination to fight against the terrorists," President Keita said, speaking in the central Mali village of Boni where 26 people were killed on Thursday. Those victims were travelling from neighbouring Burkina Faso in a civilian passenger vehicle when it struck a landmine. In a separate incident on the same day in the nearby town of Youwarou, the Malian military said its forces repelled an attack by suspected Islamist fighters. Mali and its western neighbour Senegal plan to deploy 1,000 troops soon in an operation to pacify central Mali and contain jihadists who had previously been confined to its Saharan expanses in the north. But analysts doubt they will be able to do so purely through military means. The Islamists exploit the grievances of Fulani cattle herders and their disputes with local farmers over access to grazing lands. The government's periodic crackdowns on suspected jihadists have therefore tended to target the Fulani, driving some of them into the arms of the armed groups.

Gunmen kill at least 14 Mali soldiers in attack on army camp