Mali’s constitutional court has named Colonel Assimi Goïta as its Transitional President.
The ruling issued late on Friday May 28, said Assimi Goita would “lead the transition process to its conclusion” and carry the title of “president of the transition, head of state”
On Monday May 24, the two men tasked with steering the country back to civilian rule, interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were detained by soldiers. Col Goita said that both men had failed in their duties and were seeking to sabotage the country’s transition. They were released on Thursday May 27 after resigning.
Goïta claims his appointment is for security reasons.
He said the Junta “… had to choose between the stability of Mali and the chaos and they have chosen stability. In choosing between disorder and cohesion in the defence forces and security, we have chosen cohesion in the defence forces and security because it is in the nation’s best interests.”
He reiterates they have no hidden agenda.
Goïta, who led the junta called the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, served as Mali’s Vice President in the transitional government formed last September.
He has held that position despite initial calls from the international community for an entirely civilian-led transition.
There are nonetheless fears that foreign interventions will further destabilize the land-locked nation of 19 million people, which has battled a brutal religious insurgency since 2012.