Mali: New President Takes Office
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/05/world/africa/mali-new-president-takes-office.html Version 0 of 1. Mali’s new president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, took the oath of office on Wednesday, promising to help unify the country after a rebellion, a coup and an Islamic insurgency plunged the long democratic nation into near ruin. Mr. Keita emerged as the overwhelming victor of the first election held since soldiers overthrew President Amadou Toumani Touré, who was serving his second term, in March 2012. In the aftermath, jihadi fighters linked to Al Qaeda seized power across northern Mali and were ousted only after a French-led military offensive this year. A formal inauguration ceremony is to take place in two weeks. |