UNITED NATIONS – The UN Security Council on Monday voiced alarm over Mali’s political crisis and urged all sides immediately to follow West African recommendations for a unity government. 

The 15-nation body in a statement voiced “deep concern” over the flare-up in the war-torn Sahel nation, which has seen weeks or protests after disputed elections. 

The Security Council endorsed an effort by regional body ECOWAS which called for the formation of a unity government. 

“The members of the Security Council urged the Malian parties to act on these recommendations without delay in order to resolve the tensions, to prioritize dialogue and to refrain from any action likely to fuel further tensions and threaten the rule of law,” the statement said. 

ECOWAS leaders stood by Mali’s embattled president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, but urged a unity government with the opposition. 

The Security Council also highlighted the “importance of the implementation of the peace agreement and of the stabilization of the center of the country,” which has faced an eight-year jihadist revolt as well as a slumping economy. 

A fresh crisis broke out in Mali in April when the Constitutional Court tossed out 31 results from long-delayed parliamentary elections, giving an advantage to Keita’s party. -Nampa/AFP