Mali’s former foreign minister, Noctar Ouane, has been appointed Prime Minister. He must lead the country to elections within 18 months.
Former Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane, 64, appointed to head Mali’s transitional government, is a career diplomat. He enjoys a good international reputation. One of his responsibilities will be to lead the country to presidential and legislative elections.
The appointment of a civilian to this post comes as a condition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lift sanctions against the country. Last Friday 25 September, the transitional president, Bah Ndaw, was sworn in. He is a retired colonel and former defence minister. But another civilian was needed in the country’s higher echelons as requested by ECOWAS after the coup against Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (IBK).
ECOWAS took a decision on 18 August to close all land, air and sea borders of member countries with Mali. The sub-regional organization also suspended all economic, commercial and financial relations with the country of Soundjata Keita. This country is landlocked between eight countries, six of which are members of ECOWAS.
Only Algeria and Mauritania are not members of ECOWAS but do not maintain important economic relations with Mali. Its main sub-regional partner remains Cote d’Ivoire which immediately implemented the sanctions taken against its neighbour.
The refusal of the putschists to comply with ECOWAS’ request would lead to the asphyxiation of this economically fragile country.
Gérard Rugambwa
