Mali: the junta makes several appointments,IBK hospitalized

Deposed Mali President IBK. Photo /Censors

(Bamako- 02/09/2020) The National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), the body set up by the perpetrators of the August 18 coup d'état against President IBK continues to be structured. Several appointments have just been made just as former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was admitted to hospital.

The junta takes is settling in.

It has just made a series of appointments decided by its military command. Among those:  a consultant, Cheick Oumar Traoré, special advisor to the junta leader, in charge of information and communication.

Another civilian appointment: Dr Youssouf Coulibaly, special advisor to the leader of the junta, in charge of legal affairs. Amongst the military, General Souleymane Doucouré, former boss of the current junta spokesman, becomes Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defense. General Oumar Diarra is the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. The junta also made changes in other key positions in the army and intelligence.

Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta is in hospital

Meanwhile, the deposed president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta is in hospital. According to relatives, he was admitted in a Bamako clinic Tuesday evening where he is undergoing a series of checks, including X-rays. IBK should, according to same sources, return home Wednesday afternoon, but at 75, he is not in great shape. Another source close to the clinic reports that his condition may eventually require hospitalization for several days and appropriate care. The former Malian president had a transient ischemic attack, this source confided, adding that "it's an alert, but for the moment he is recovering quite well".

A few months ago, he was discreetly admitted to a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he was reportedly operated on. Expected back at the same hospital in mid-August for a necessary medical check-up, he was unable to make the trip. Since last week, there have been talks of his departure abroad, particularly for medical treatment.

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