The new President of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, has announced the appointment of the country’s first post-war Prime Minister, CEOAFRICA.com gathered.

Ousman Tatam Ly, until his appointment, was an adviser to the governor of the Central Bank of West African States. Also, he does not belong to any political party in the country.

Mr. Ly’s appointment as prime minister was greeted with surprise in Bamako.  However, it could be seen as the follow-up to pledges by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita that his government will pursue a new way of doing things for the country.

Meanwhile, analysts have started expressing their views regarding the appointment of the new Prime Minister. One of them, Younoussa Maiga, a prominent Malian economist says the political experience may be one of the essential challenges awaiting Mr Ly.

"I'm not sure that he is very familiar with how the state actually functions. The economy is just one part of what's at stake.  There are also political and security challenges. Even when it comes to the economy, you need security in order to see positive results." Maiga said.