Mali’s military leader sworn in as interim president

Col. Assimi Goita took office Monday as leader of the transitional government after staging his second coup in nine months. The national broadcaster announced Choguel Kokalla Maiga, a veteran politician who played a leading role in the ouster of democratically elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, will serve as prime minister. Goita said he would ensure democratic presidential elections would still take place as expected next February.

What led to the second coup? After Goita grabbed power in August 2020, he agreed to a civilian-led transitional government under mounting international pressure. On May 24, he ousted the civilian leaders after they announced a Cabinet reshuffle that excluded two junta supporters without his input. Since the second coup, both the African Union and the West African regional bloc have suspended Mali’s membership. France also halted its joint military operations with the country’s military and urged him to step down.

Dig deeper: Read my World Tour report on Mali's coup.