The Malian transitional authorities have carried out a partial ministerial reshuffle, appointing 16 ministers out of the 28, including 13 new ones and three swaps.
Among others, the ministers of education, health, youth, and agriculture have been reshuffled according to the decree of Transitional President Assimi Goita, signed on July 1.
The main goal of these adjustments is to deal with the challenges faced by the country and to ensure effective governance in key sectors. It was noted that the officials who hold strategic positions, such as ministers of defense, foreign affairs, and justice, were reappointed.
Among the newcomers to the government is Colonel Assa Badiallo Toure, who was appointed as minister of health and social development. The country's military leader also appointed Amadou Keita, who was in charge of Mali's Ministry of Higher Education and Research, as minister of mines.
Although Goita carried out significant changes to the portfolios of 16 ministers within the Cabinet, other ministers will keep their posts, with the overall number of the officials remaining at 28.
The reshuffle announcement comes a day after the UN decided to terminate its peacekeeping mission in the nation. Earlier this week, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to end MINUSMA by the end of the year. The mission is required to start cessation of its operations, transfer of its tasks, as well as safe withdrawal of the personnel in close consultation with the transitional government of Mali.
Last month, Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop referred to MINUSMA as a "failure" and urged its termination, noting that the mission's 10-year presence had failed to adequately respond to the security issues, while causing even more unrest.
Another major development in the country is connected with the June 18 constitutional referendum. According to Mali's electoral authority, 97% of the referendum votes were cast in favor of the draft constitution.