elined by Islamist groups associated with Al-Qaeda[citation needed], and dropped their demands for secession. The soldiers who seized power allowed Dioncounda Traore, the President of the National Assembly, to take office as head of state in accordance with the constitution, but they have continued to wield consi

n April, under international pressure, the military junta — led by Capt. Amadou Sanogo — agreed to a civilian government led by an interim president, Dioncounda Traore, the former leader of the national assembly; and an interim prime minister, Cheick Modibo Diarra, an unlikely Malian-American astrophysicist who on

per capita: US $610 (World Bank, 2011) • Internet domain: .ml • International dialling code: +223 Page 12 of 7 EFTA00598396 Interim president: Dioncounda Traore Dioncounda Traore was inaugurated in April 2012, marking a return to civilian rule after the military coup in March that toppled his predecessor,

nting a more inclusive government of national unity as demanded by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mali's Interim President Dioncounda Traore officially requested ECOWAS military assistance on September 4th. The request covered only logistics, training, equipment, and aerial support to he