Bah Ndaw (C) with junta leaders Col Assimi Goita (L) and Col Malick Diaw (R) on Thursday. BBC PHOTO
Mali’s new president has been sworn into office, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. But ECOWAS leaders say they would not lift imposed embargo until a new Prime Minister is also sworn in. After Mr Ndaw’s inauguration, ECOWAS officials said they would only lift the embargo after a civilian prime minister was also appointed.
Former Defence Minister Bah Ndaw, 70, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months.
Col Goita is vice-president.
The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for the West African regional group, ECOWAS to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup. But the leaders of the regional body appeared to be matching the coup leaders with diplomacy in their bid to force the hand of the usurpers to keep their promise to hand over power in 18 months and ensure they also allow the civilian appointees free hand to run the government.
