The Malian government on Thursday appointed Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister to replace Choguel Kokalla Maiga, according to a decree issued by President Assimi Goita.

"Major General Abdoulaye Maiga is appointed prime minister," said the decree, which was read out by Alfousseyni Diawara, the secretary general of the presidency on state television station ORTM.

Abdoulaye Maiga had until now served as government spokesman in the West African country, which is plagued by jihadist and separatist violence and has been led by the military since coups in 2020 and 2021.