BREAKING: Former Defence Minister Colonel Bah Ndaw Sworn In As Mali Interim President

Mali’s former Minister of Defense, retired colonel Bah Ndaw, was on Friday sworn in as the country’s interim president.

The swearing in was held at Bamako, the country’s capital.

Recall that the mutinying soldiers had in a military coup in August, removed its Prime Minister, Boubou Cisse, and the President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

THE WHISTLER reported that the military junta had on Monday named Ndaw as the president of the transition government, after pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other international bodies.

The junta’s leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, was also sworn in as the vice president.

Reuters reports that the Mali interim president was mandated to return the country to civil rule.

On his part, ECOWAS meditation team leader, former president Goodluck Jonathan, had stressed that he hoped that the development would lead to lasting peace and progress for the country.

“We are optimistic that this event will signal the beginning of the return to normalcy in Mali after a protracted socio-political crisis,” he said.

Prior to the coup, the ECOWAS mediation team had noted that the country’s problem was tied to governance.