Assimi Goita, the Malian colonel who has overthrown two presidents in the past nine months, said he would oversee a transition toward democratic elections as he was sworn in as interim president on Monday.
Goita, a 38-year-old special forces commander, had already been declared president by the constitutional court last month after ousting Bah Ndaw, but was formally sworn in on Monday during a ceremony in the capital Bamako.
Within hours, he appointed opposition leader and former minister Choguel Maiga as prime minister, according to a decree read on state television.
It was not immediately clear to what extent Maiga’s appointment would satisfy calls from Mali’s neighbours and military allies like France and the United States for a civilian-led government. (Reuters)
