Mali: New government in Bamako, talks with rebels a priority

A peace accord with the Tuareg and Islamist groups of the north is a priority for Mali’s new government, said the cabinet of President Ibrahim Boubakar Keïta, over the weekend to the local media.

There are significant changes in the new government headed by Prime Minister Modibo Keïta, who served as chief negotiator in pece talks with the rebels, including a Tuareg minister of Environment, Mohamed Ag Erlaf, a banker Mamadou Igor Diarra, for the ministry of Economy and Finance. Also a chnge in the Defence ministry, now headed by Tiéman Hubert Coulibaly.

[VG/BO]