Eurasia Press & News
Mali’s new leader Ibrahim Boubacar Keita pledged on Wednesday to be a “president of national reconciliation” in his first public statement since his landslide election victory.
Speaking a day after the constitutional court confirmed his win in the Aug.11 presidential run-off, he vowed to re-establish the rule of law and rebuild conflict-scarred Mali’s shattered public institutions.
“I will be the president of national reconciliation.
National reconciliation is necessary to face up to the legitimate demands of our people,” he told a press conference at his campaign headquarters in the capital Bamako.
Keita, 68, a former prime minister, takes office on September 4 and is charged with leading the west African nation out of a 17-month political crisis triggered by a military coup.
“My first duty after September 4 will be uniting all Malians — and all Malians without exception — around the ideals of peace and tolerance. We will have a peaceful democracy,” he said.
He described his immediate goals as “rebuilding the rule of law, the recovery of the army, education, the fight against corruption, economic and social development.”
“This is the beginning of a new era, full of promise, and a new challenge for Mali,” he told the media.
