Top court in Mali endorses coup leader as President

The ruling has thrown another spanner in the works for Western Africa as surrounding nations plan to meet on Sunday in Ghana to discuss the crisis that has derailed democracy in the state. 

Goita became interim vice president after leading the coup last August that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. He ordered the arrests on Monday of President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane. Both resigned on Wednesday, leading to their release. 

The constitutional court said in its ruling that Goita should fill the vacancy left by Ndaw's resignation "to lead the transition process to its conclusion" and carry the title of "president of the transition, head of state".

The ruling set Mali on a collision course with the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has insisted that the transition, which is due to end with elections in February, remain civilian-led.

After agreeing in October to lift sanctions imposed after the coup against Keita, ECOWAS said in a declaration that the vice president of the transition "cannot under any circumstances replace the president."

France and the USA have also expressed reservations  about the development, seeing it as a step back in the fight against extremists taking place in northern and central Mali, long perceived to be a stronghold of Al Qaeda and IS affiliate militant groups. 

Goita, a 38-year-old special forces commander, was one of several colonels who led the coup against Keita. On Friday he addressed the country on state television and said that he would appoint a Prime Minister from the coalition that led protests against Keota last year.