The anti-junta group of political parties has accused Modibo Diarra of incompetence. As the July 31 deadline for the formation of a government of national unity in Mali approaches, a grouping of opposition parties that opposed last March’s coup by Captain Amadou Sanogo, on Tuesday July 24 called for the resignation of Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra and his government for alleged incompetence and non-performance. The deadline was fixed by the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

The United Front for the Defence of Democracy and the Republic, FDR anti-junta group of political parties that enjoys a majority in Parliament has now turned against PM Modibo Diarra, calling him all names. Radio France Internationale, RFI quoted the group as saying three months after the formation of the government, it has been marking time, with no obvious strategy for retaking the rebel-held northern part of the country or resolving the crisis in the south.

In a statement, FDR describes the road map recently published by the Prime Minister as a plan of action without any vision and strategy. The grouping that unites 40 political parties and about 100 civil society organisations therefore called on Diarra to resign in order to facilitate talks on the appointment of a new Prime Minister and a government of national unity, AFP news agency said.

The publication coincided with the reported departure for Paris, France of a Malian government delegation to arrange for the return of Interim President, Dioncounda Traore, who has been following up treatment after being attacked by demonstrators in his office in May.

Mali has been split into two with the northern part now controlled by militant Islamic groups. The take over of the region followed last March’s coup that overthrew the civilian government of Amadou Toumani Toure. Even though Captain Sanogo and his men have since handed over power, the country is yet to return to normalcy.