Johannesburg -
President Jacob Zuma congratulated the new president of Mali, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, on Saturday after he was elected by a landslide victory.
“South Africa will continue to engage the government of Mali and its people in order to further strengthen bilateral ties and assist Mali as it emerges from the recent conflict,” Zuma said in a statement.
Keita beat former finance minister Soumaila Cisse after he won 77.6 percent of the vote. Cisse got on 22.4 percent.
The country's elected government was overthrown in a coup in 2012.
International operations against the rebel movements in Mali began in January 2013.
The United Nations Security Council then authorised the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali.
The internationally-supported transition period will come to an end after the inauguration of Keita in September. - Sapa