REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BAMAKO -- Mali's opposition Friday filed a motion of no-confidence in the government, which it says is "incapable" of tackling an array of problems including a rebellion in the north.

"We have filed a motion of censure calling for the resignation of the government, and its head, Moussa Mara, who is incapable of resolving the urgent problems facing the country at the moment," opposition leader Soumaila Cisse told AFP.

Mali descended into crisis in January 2012, when an insurgency by Tuareg rebels led to a coup in the capital Bamako, Militants linked to Al-Qaeda then overpowered the Tuareg to seize control of Mali's northern desert.

A French-led military operation launched in January 2013 ousted the extremists, but the Tuareg rebels remain active throughout the north-east of the country.

"Our country is facing a profound economic, social and security crisis, notably marked by bad governance and the virtual absence of political dialogue," reads the no-confidence motion, seen by AFP.

The Tuareg separatist movement wants independence for a vast swathe of northern desert it calls "Azawad", and has launched several rebellions since the 1960s.

In May, rebels clashed over a number of days with members of the army attempting to seize back control of Kidal, a town in the north of the country that is the cradle of the separatist movement.

After days of violence in the northern desert in which a number of soldiers were killed, the government and the three main rebel groups signed a ceasefire deal at the end of May.

With 22 deputies from four parties, out the 147 members of the National Assembly, the opposition stands little chance of success with its motion.

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