Mali president names new PM after surprise gov't resignation

BAMAKO, Mali - Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita named a new prime minister Saturday, a day after the government resigned in a surprise move just months ahead of presidential polls.

A public decree disseminated on Twitter said Keita named former defense minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga to replace Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga, who resigned unexpectedly on Friday.

Boubeye Maiga is considered close to Keita despite his having to resign as defense minister in 2014 after the Malian army suffered a string of setbacks against Tuareg rebel groups in the country's restive northern region.

The north is still a theater of unrest almost six years after a French-led military operation chased Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda from a region they had taken control of in early 2012.

Mali's army, French soldiers and a UN mission (MINUSMA) still have little control over large tracts of the country, which regularly come under attack in spite of a peace accord signed with Tuareg leaders in May and June 2015 with the aim of isolating the jihadists.

The spread of the unrest this year prompted the G5 regional forum, which also includes Mauritania and Chad, to step up peace efforts with French support.

Mali's presidential election is set to take place next year with Keita seeking re-election.