Malian Coup Leader Goita Officially Named Interim President

Assimi Goita, who led a coup against the government of Mali in
2020 was officially named as the interim president on Monday.

The 38-year-old colonel said that he would defend Mali’s
constitution and its transition agreements, as he spoke at a
ceremony in Bamako.

He also gave his word that he would steer Mali back towards
democracy.

The coup, which took place in August, has been the subject of
much international criticism.

Both the African Union and ECOWAS, a West African economic
community, have suspended Mali’s membership for the time being
while they demand the return of civilian government in Mali.

Goita, a colonel, led the coup that unseated Ibrahim Boubacar
Keita.

After ceding some control to civilian rules, Goita then stepped
back into the fray in May, when he pressured interim president Bah
N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane to step down.

Goita had himself proclaimed interim president, a move that was
formalised with the ceremony.

Mali has been an international hotspot since 2012, when a coup
cleared the way for a rebellion from the north.

France has been at the forefront of an alliance of international
troops ever since, seeking to maintain calm.

However, the recent power grabs in France have tested Paris’
patience.

France has put some military operations on hold and demanded
guarantees that there would be a transition to democracy.

About 5,100 French troops are in Mali to fight Islamist forces.
An EU operation is also up and running, as is a UN stabilisation
force. (dpa/NAN)

Assimi Goita, who led a coup against the government of Mali in
2020 was officially named as the interim president on Monday.

The 38-year-old colonel said that he would defend Mali’s
constitution and its transition agreements, as he spoke at a
ceremony in Bamako.

He also gave his word that he would steer Mali back towards
democracy.

The coup, which took place in August, has been the subject of
much international criticism.

Both the African Union and ECOWAS, a West African economic
community, have suspended Mali’s membership for the time being
while they demand the return of civilian government in Mali.

Goita, a colonel, led the coup that unseated Ibrahim Boubacar
Keita.

After ceding some control to civilian rules, Goita then stepped
back into the fray in May, when he pressured interim president Bah
N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane to step down.

Goita had himself proclaimed interim president, a move that was
formalised with the ceremony.

Mali has been an international hotspot since 2012, when a coup
cleared the way for a rebellion from the north.

France has been at the forefront of an alliance of international
troops ever since, seeking to maintain calm.

However, the recent power grabs in France have tested Paris’
patience.

France has put some military operations on hold and demanded
guarantees that there would be a transition to democracy.

About 5,100 French troops are in Mali to fight Islamist forces.
An EU operation is also up and running, as is a UN stabilisation
force. (dpa/NAN)