ECOWAS presses Mali for political action

An African bloc called on interim leaders in Mali to develop proposals for a government of national unity by the end of July. Members of the Economic Community of West African States met in Burkina Faso to discuss ongoing turmoil in Mali. Rebels in the north of the country declared autonomy for their region in the aftermath of a military coup early this year. ECOWAS, in a statement, called on political and civil leaders in Mali to make proposals to interim President Dioncounda Traore for the formation of a unity government before the end of the month. Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, president of the U.N. General Assembly, had called on all parties to refrain from violence and return to the negotiating table. Northern militants, some of which are affiliated with al-Qaida, have launched attacks on cultural and historic heritage sites in Mali. The African bloc said it has called on the International Criminal Court to conduct an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Mali. In a statement, ECOWAS said the "territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mali, and the secularity of the state and religious freedom are non-negotiable." The bloc said it has called on the country's interim president to file a formal request for the deployment of ECOWAS forces to support territorial integrity.