Mali Constitutional Court Declares Colonel Goita Transitional President

Mali’s constitutional court on Friday named Colonel Assimi
Goita, leader of the post-coup junta, as the country’s transitional
president.

The judgement stipulated that Goita would “exercise the
functions of transitional president to lead the transition process
to its conclusion”, following his seizure of power this week.

The constitutional court said it had made the decision due to
the “vacancy in the presidency” following the resignation of
caretaker president Bah Ndaw.

Soldiers detained Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane on
Monday, before releasing them Thursday after they resigned.

Ndaw and Ouane had led a transitional government tasked with
steering the return to civilian rule after a coup last August that
toppled Mali’s elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Keita was forced out by young army officers, led by Goita,
following mass protests over perceived corruption and his failure
to quell a bloody jihadist insurgency.

Goita had originally been named vice president with other key
posts given to fellow army officers.

Earlier Friday, Goita explained that the army had had little
choice but to intervene.

“We had to choose between disorder and cohesion within the
defence and security forces and we chose cohesion,” he said.

AFP

Mali’s constitutional court on Friday named Colonel Assimi
Goita, leader of the post-coup junta, as the country’s transitional
president.

The judgement stipulated that Goita would “exercise the
functions of transitional president to lead the transition process
to its conclusion”, following his seizure of power this week.

The constitutional court said it had made the decision due to
the “vacancy in the presidency” following the resignation of
caretaker president Bah Ndaw.

Soldiers detained Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane on
Monday, before releasing them Thursday after they resigned.

Ndaw and Ouane had led a transitional government tasked with
steering the return to civilian rule after a coup last August that
toppled Mali’s elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Keita was forced out by young army officers, led by Goita,
following mass protests over perceived corruption and his failure
to quell a bloody jihadist insurgency.

Goita had originally been named vice president with other key
posts given to fellow army officers.

Earlier Friday, Goita explained that the army had had little
choice but to intervene.

“We had to choose between disorder and cohesion within the
defence and security forces and we chose cohesion,” he said.

AFP