Ba N'Daou named Mali's interim president, colonel named VP

Ba N'Daou named Mali's interim president, colonel named VP

Mali's former defence minister Ba N'Daou has been named as president of the country's new transition government.

Military government leader Colonel Assimi Goita was appointed vice president, state television announced on Monday.

According to a plan backed by the military government, the new president is meant to lead the country for several months before staging elections and returning Mali to civilian rule.

Colonel Assimi Goita, the junta leader of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) which overthrew Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was appointed vice president [Reuters]

Mali's military government has come under intense pressure from its West African neighbours to return power to civilians following the August 18 coup that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

Last week, West African leaders insisted the interim president be a civilian, while signalling they would accept a soldier as vice president.

N'Daou and Goita were appointed by a group electors chosen by the military government. 

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