Mali opposition declares truce ahead of talks

Mali’s political opposition said it would halt protests in a truce ahead of the forthcoming Eid festival, as five West African presidents prepare to travel to the country this week for mediation talks to try to resolve a deepening crisis.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has been locked in a standoff for weeks with the opposition June 5 Movement, and the conflict spiralled into violent clashes earlier in July, leaving nearly a dozen people dead.

Opposition figures have been tapping into anger over the president’s perceived failures in tackling the dire economy, corruption and an eight-year jihadist conflict.

The leaders of Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal and Niger will fly to the capital Bamako for talks on Thursday regarding the impasse, according to a Malian presidency official.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari would also join his counterparts, regional body Ecowas confirmed on Tuesday.

Nouhoun Sarr, one of the protest movement leaders, said the opposition had “decided to observe a truce on the subject of civil disobedience”. This is to allow Malians to properly prepare for and celebrate Eid,” he said. “During this period, there will be no more demonstrations. And we are preparing to host the heads of state.”

The Muslim Eid al-Adha festival of animal sacrifice begins at the end of July and lasts for several days.

Issa Kaou Djim, another protest movement figure, said the truce was a “very responsible and wise decision”.

But the opposition did not soften its demands, issuing a statement on Monday evening that again called for the resignation of Keita and his government.

Thursday’s talks follow an Ecowas mediation mission which ended on Sunday after failing to reconcile the president with the opposition.

Many Malians are incensed at parliamentary elections in March and April that handed victory to Keita’s party.