‘We won’t resign’ – Mali MPs reject ECOWAS recommendation amid political crisis

Malian MPs whose elections have been contested have said they won’t resign as recommended by five heads of state from the regional bloc Ecowas who are trying to resolve the political crisis in the country.

The MPs said the suggestion made by Ecowas violates the constitution, according to news agencies.

The opposition has been calling for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign over corruption allegation and some 31 legislators from his party whose elections were contested.

To resolve the crisis, Ecowas proposed that the government and opposition form a unity government and that the MPs resign.

President Keïta formed a crisis cabinet in anticipation of forming a unity government, but there was no word on the resignation of the MPs.

The prime minister met popular imam Mahmoud Dicko and asked him to lead the opposition in joining the unity government.

The imam told journalists that he had asked the prime minister to resign and that a second wave of protests would begin after the Muslim festival Eid-al-Adha.