6 September
2013 – Mali’s new leadership is forming a new Government today, a process
started with the swearing in of the new President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, an
event noted by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country.
Mr. Keita
took the oath of office on Wednesday, with an inauguration celebration
scheduled to take place in the capital, Bamako, on 19 September.
The
Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) noted
the swearing-in as a major political milestone in Mali.
Shortly
after his election, Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon congratulated Mr. Keita, as well as the people of Mali, and
acknowledged the concession of the second place candidate Soumaïla Cissé,
saluting his commitment to democratic principles.
The
elections were seen as an important step on the path to recovery for Mali.
Since early 2012, the country has witnessed a military coup d’état, renewed
fighting between Government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its
northern territory by radical Islamists.
In April,
the Security Council approved a 12,600-strong MINUSMA, authorizing the blue
helmets “to use all necessary means” to carry out security-related
stabilization tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural artefacts and
create the conditions for provision of humanitarian aid.
MINUSMA’s
core task is to support the political process in Mali, in close coordination
with the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In
accordance with this mandate, MINUSMA provided technical and logistical
assistance for the 11 August run-off election, as well as for the first round
of voting held on 28 July, in addition to support to the Malian security
authorities.
Mr. Ban has
reiterated the UN’s commitment to accompanying Mali in its stabilization and
peace consolidation process, including through support for the
yet-to-be-scheduled national legislative elections.
Mr. Keita’s
Government has chosen Oumar Tatam Ly as the Prime Minister, taking over from
interim premier Diango Cissoko. The Government is now reportedly working on the
process of selecting ministers.
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