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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.T

Who will really rule Mali?

By Mayeni Jones, West Africa correspondent
One thing that is unclear is how far Bah Ndaw will be able to call the shots after he’s sworn in.
He was chosen because he was well respected, both in the military and by the general public. He’s also said to get on well with Col Assimi Goita.
Portraying a unified front will be central to the success of the tenure of Mr Ndaw and his vice-president. Any perception that the interim president is not really in charge could lead to renewed international pressure on the junta.
West African heads of state are afraid the coup in Mali may lead to other uprisings in a region that is facing several elections in the coming months.
Members of the opposition M5-RFP coalition which organised mass protests against the ousted leader will also be watching closely, having already felt sidelined in the process of appointing a replacement.
The next 18 months will be crucial in determining how close or far Mali steers from democracy.
Presentational grey line

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.
Mali junta leader and new transition vice president Colonel Assimi Goita (L) with the new transition president former defence minister Bah Ndaw (C) and Colonel Malick Diaw (R) of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) pose for a photograph during a meeting with Economic Community Of West Africa (ECOWAS) in Bamako, Mali, 24 September 2020. The 70-year-old Bah Ndaw who had been retired was appointed transition president by a committee chosen by the junta.IMAGE COPYRIGHTEPA
image captionBah Ndaw (C) with junta leaders Col Assimi Goita (L) and Col Malick Diaw (R) on Thursday
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.

Why was there a coup?

President Keïta was overthrown on 18 August following mass protests against his rule over corruption, the mismanagement of the economy and a dispute over legislative elections.
Crowds gather in BamakoIMAGE COPYRIGHTAFP
image captionThousands attended mass rallies called by the opposition M5-RFP coalition calling for the president to resign
Mali is also struggling with intense Islamist violence, with thousands of French, African and UN troops based in the country to tackle the militants.
The coup sparked international condemnation, but it was welcomed by many Malians.
BBC.COM

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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