Military Officer Elected Head Of Mali’s Interim Legislature

Mali’s interim legislature on Saturday elected Colonel Malick Diaw, a member of the military junta that toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August, as its president. 

The 121-seat body known as the National Transition Council was meeting for its inaugural session in the capital Bamako and is a key part of the post-coup interim government apparatus in Mali.

Young army officers in the conflict-ridden Sahel state toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18 after weeks of anti-government protests.

Under the threat of international sanctions, the officers between September and October handed power to an interim government, which is meant to rule for 18 months before staging elections.

Figures with army links dominate this interim government, however, and anger over their prominent role is growing.

Coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita was elected interim vice president, for example, and retired army colonel Bah Ndaw was also elected interim president.

Members of the defence and security forces have 22 seats in the transition council, according to a government decree, while political parties, civil society groups, and trade unions also have seats.

On Saturday, the council elected Colonel Malick Diaw as its president unopposed, according to AFP journalists, with 111 votes in his favour and seven abstentions. Three council members did not vote.

Diaw was second in command of the military junta that took power after Keita’s ouster. The junta has never formally been dissolved.

Last month, Goita was also given veto power over the appointments to the new legislature, in a move seen by critics of the interim regime as strengthening army control.

The opposition June 5 Movement, which led protests against Keita this year, said in a statement on Friday that it was boycotting the new legislature and that it would not serve as a “stooge for a disguised military regime”.

-AFP

READ ALSO:

• Commuters stranded as queue return to Ibadan fuel stations
  Hundreds of commuters were on Monday stranded as a result of a shortage of cab, taxi and commercial motorcyclists plying major roads in the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo … Continue Reading Commuters stranded as queue return to Ibadan fuel stations
• COVID-19: Nigerians who receive vaccine abroad must be tested on arrival – FG
  The Federal Government has maintained that Nigerians who received the COVID-19 vaccine abroad will still be tested upon arriving in the country. Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora said … Continue Reading COVID-19: Nigerians who receive vaccine abroad must be tested on arrival – FG
• Blockade: Beef Scarcity, High Cost Of Food Items Hit Southern States
  AUFCDN is demanding protection of its members, and compensation for lives and properties lost in some crises…
• EPL: Brendan Rodgers reacts to Iheanacho’s missed chances against Arsenal
  Brendan Rodgers has reacted to goal opportunities missed by Kelechi Iheanacho during Leicester City’s defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League game on Sunday. Leicester took the lead early on … Continue Reading EPL: Brendan Rodgers reacts to Iheanacho’s missed chances against Arsenal
• Pope Francis reacts to abduction of 317 female students by bandits
  Roman Catholic head, Pope Francis has reacted to the abduction of schoolgirls in Zamfara State by bandits. The Pope condemned the attack on innocent students, describing it as a “vile” … Continue Reading Pope Francis reacts to abduction of 317 female students by bandits