West African regional group ECOWAS says it will not lift the sanctions it imposed on Mali after the military coup there five weeks ago until a civilian prime minister has been nominated.
The announcement came shortly after Mali’s new president was sworn in.
Bah Ndaw, a former defence minister, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections are held.
At a ceremony in the capital Bamako Col Goita was sworn in as the vice-president.
Correspondents say the new president’s main challenges include reversing an economic slump and ending the jihadist and inter communal violence in north and central Mali.
