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Mali: Modibo Keita becomes new prime minister as Moussa Mara and his gov’t quits
Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita named a former head of government, Modibo Keita, as the new prime minister on Thursday after the previous government resigned, state television said.
Modibo Keita, no relation to the president, was prime minister for three months in 2002 under then-President Alpha Oumar Konaré. Last year, he headed the government delegation in negotiations with separatists from the north of the country, which took place in Algeria.
Islamists linked to al Qaeda seized northern Mali in 2012, forcing a multi-national force that stopped the militants, and paved the way for presidential elections in 2013.
“The president of the republic, in accordance with the constitution, decrees that Modibo Keita is prime minister,” said the statement.
The previous prime minister, Moussa Mara, and his government resigned earlier on Thursday.
Source: Reuters