BAMAKO, Mali — Tensions mounted on Saturday between Mali's military junta and the country's longtime political opposition after the coup leaders failed to invite prominent opposition figures to a planned forum on the country's political future. The meeting ultimately was cancelled and the junta leadership instead met with imam Mahmoud Dicko, an opposition leader who on Friday urged the junta to speed up the transition to civilian rule so the West African country could avoid further crushing financial sanctions. “I ask them to be part of the solution and not another problem,” he said. M5-RFP had led several months of demonstrations calling for his resignation three years before his final term was due to end. In a statement late Friday, one M5-RFP leader said the alliance regretted not being invited to take part in Saturday's planned discussions between the junta and various political actors.

Source: International New York Times August 29, 2020 15:11 UTC