Mali Junta Appoints Former Diplomat, Ouane, As Interim Primwe Minister

In a move seen by watchers as an attempt to end the sanction imposed in the country by ECOWAS, the military junta in Mali has appointed former foreign minister Moctar Ouane as the country’s interim prime minister, state television said on Sunday.

This is a move likely to trigger the lifting of sanctions imposed by the West Africa regional bloc in the aftermath of the military coup last month.

A veteran diplomat, Ouane, 64, served as Mali’s ambassador to the United Nations between 1995 and 2002, and as foreign minister between 2004 and 2011. 

The ECOWAS bloc had demanded a civilian leader be installed as a condition for lifting the sanctions.

Ouane’s appointment comes two days after retired Colonel Bah Ndaw was sworn in as the country’s president, and coup-leader Colonel Assimi Goita as vice president.

The men will be tasked with overseeing an 18-month transition back to civilian rule after the Aug. 18 overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.