Militants on Thursday called for a united front to depose Mali's ruling junta and to proceed with a "peaceful and inclusive transition," according to a statement which follows weekend attacks by militants and Tuareg separatists against key junta positions. 

The JNIM urged "all sincere patriots, without distinction, to rise up and unite our forces in a common front", saying it was "imperative to bring an end" to the junta to usher in a "new Mali" whose priorities would include "the establishment of Sharia".