Ecowas: Mali sanctions will not be lifted

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.