BAMAKO: President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita pledged yesterday to unite Mali and end endemic corruption as he was sworn in to lead the deeply-divided west African nation’s emergence from months of political crisis and conflict.
Keita, a former prime minister, began his five-year term in the presence of outgoing transitional leader Dioncounda Traore and more than 1,000 Malian politicians, diplomats and military personnel as he took the presidential oath at a ceremony in the capital Bamako.
“I will not forget for a moment that you put me where I am to take care of all aspects of the life of our nation. National reconciliation remains the most urgent priority,” he said.
Mali’s constitutional court confirmed Keita’s landslide victory three weeks ago in the August 11 presidential run-off against former minister Soumaila Cisse after an election campaign focused on law, order and ending the culture of impunity in public office. AFP
