Malian Opposition Coalition Demands Foreign Force Departure

The Coalition of Forces for the Republic, led by Imam Mamoud Diko, identifies the departure of the Agence as the primary priority for Mali. Spokesperson Etienne Fakabasi Soko stated that the Malian authorities and the Agence are responsible for current instability. Soko, currently residing in Algiers, argues that the Agence's exit is necessary to restore order in the country. Malian opposition groups are calling for the immediate departure of Agence to break a cycle of violence. The coalition seeks to open new dialogues to establish a peace project for the country. They maintain that no armed group should dictate Mali's future through force. This follows recent instability involving Tuareg rebels and jihadist groups like JNIM in Mali. The demand comes amid ongoing security challenges in the region. A coalition of opposition parties, composed of Malian opponents in exile, has been formed. The coalition is named the Coalition des Forces pour la République. The coalition aims to represent opposition voices from outside Mali. The spokesperson for the UNHCR stated that the current situation does not align with the urgency of the crisis, disproportionately affecting those in emergency situations.