Mali coup: Bah Ndaw sworn in as civilian leader

Mali’s new president has been sworn into office, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

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.

Stocks of goods are running low in the Malian capital, Bamako.

But after Mr Ndaw’s inauguration, Ecowas officials said they would only lift the embargo after a civilian prime minister was also appointed.

Who is Bah Ndaw?

A Soviet-trained helicopter pilot who rose through the ranks of Mali’s air force, Mr Ndaw most recently served as defence minister for the ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

He left in 2015 after less than a year, prompting speculation in the national press of a fallout over reintegrating deserters into the military.

During his brief stint as minister Mr Ndaw signed a defence deal in 2014 with former colonial power France, whose troops had intervened a year earlier to fight Islamist rebels.

He previously served as an aide to late President Moussa Traoré.

Over his decorated career, Mr Ndaw graduated from France’s elite Ecole de Guerre, and received the National Order of Mali plus the Medal of Military Merit as well as the Medal of National Merit.

People close to the retired colonel-major are said to call him “Le Grand” (The Tall) because of his imposing 6ft 4in (1.95cm) height.

In his inaugural speech, he vowed to tackle corruption and electoral fraud, and also promised to abide by international agreements, reports the AFP news agency. Under these, thousands of international troops are based in Mali to tackle Islamist militants.

Source: bbc.com