Mali Gets New Civilian President

Seventy-year-old former Defence Minister, Bah Ndaw has emerged as the new Civilian President in Mali five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

Ndaw was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months while Col Goita will be his vice-president.

One of the conditions listed by ECOWA to lift the sanctions it imposed on the country is the appointment of a civilian president as stocks of goods are running low in the capital, Bamako.

It was gathered that Ndaw was chosen because he was well respected, both in the military and by the general public.

However, members of the opposition M5-RFP coalition which organised mass protests against the ousted leader felt sidelined in the process of appointing a replacement.

Ndaw, who signed a defence deal in 2014 with former colonial power France previously served as an aide to late President Moussa Traoré.

You will recall that President Keïta was overthrown on August 18 following mass protests against his rule over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy, and a dispute over legislative elections.