Conflicts & War

Mali coup leader Goita sworn in as president, promises to respect transition

Bamako, Jun 7 (EFE).- Colonel Assimi Goita, who led the May 24 mutiny in Mali, was sworn in as president in Bamako Monday, and promised to respect the 18-months transition period agreed in August.

Goita attended his swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Centre dressed in military garb.

“The new situation allows us to direct the transition process in a direction in line with the wishes of the people,” said Goita after his inauguration.

 “The challenges are immense, but the legitimate expectations of the people are just as important,” he added.

The coup leader promised to guarantee and protect national unity, strengthen the country’s governance, and overcome internal disagreements.

Goita also pledged to respect the mechanisms laid out in the 2015 Algiers agreement for peace and reconciliation in Mali.

The 37-year-old colonel led a first coup d’état in August to overthrow then president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, and orchestrated a second mutiny on May 24 when the transition president Bah Ndaw and his first minister Moctar Ouané were detained and forced to resign.

On May 29, the Mali constitutional court ratified Goita’s claim to the position of transitional head of state.

The international community condemned the mutiny at the time, and sanctioned Mali with a suspension of its membership of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States.

France announced at the time the provisional suspension of joint military operations with the Malian army, to pressure the military junta that took over after the coup. EFE

Related Articles

Back to top button