RETIRED Colonel Bah Ndaw has been sworn-in as Mali’s interim president.
The 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.
Junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, also, took oath of office as the vice president of the transition during a ceremony in Bamako on Friday.
Ndaw served as Defence Minister for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta who was overthrown on August 18 following mass protests against his rule over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections.
Ndaw is a Soviet-trained helicopter pilot who rose through the ranks of Mali’s air force.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the envoy for the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), expressed hope that sanctions would be lifted following Ndaw’s inauguration.
