NEW MALIAN CABINET NAMED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BAMAKO 001128 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EFIN ECON ML SUBJECT: NEW MALIAN CABINET NAMED REF: BAMAKO 1091 Prime Minister Modibo Sidibe (reftel) announced Mali's new cabinet October 3. A number of key positions retained the incumbents, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Territorial Administration, and Finance. There were seven women named to the cabinet, and many of the new nominees are technical experts or career government employees. A full list is provided below: Minister of Employment and Professional Education: Mr. Ibrahima N'DIAYE. A former Mayor of Bamako, he is a Vice President of ADEMA, a political party that supports President Toure. Minister of Health: Mr. Oumar Ibrahima TOURE, who changes portfolio from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. He's a Vice President of the URD, a political party that supports the President. Minister of Tourism and Arts and Crafts: Mr. N'Diaye BA, who retains his portfolio. Minister of Territorial Administration and Local Collectivities: General (ret) Kafougouna KONE, who retains his portfolio. Minister of Livestock and Fisheries: Ms. DIALLO Madeleine BA, formerly a technical advisor from the Ministry of Commerce. Recently worked with the Embassy to promote AGOA. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Mr. Moctar OUANE, who retains his portfolio Minister of Agriculture: Mr. Tiemoko SANGARE, a physics professor and Vice President of ADEMA. Minister of the Economy, Industry and Commerce: Ms. BA Fatoumata Nene SY. The Ministry of Economy and Finance has been split, with the Economic portfolio merged into the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Ms. SY is relatively unknown. Minister of Mines, Energy, and Water: Mr. Ahmed SOW. Mr. Sow is the author of President Toure's economic and social program. Minister of Equipment and Transport: Mr. Ahmed Diane SEMEGA, changes portfolio from the Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Water. Minister of Finance: Mr. Abou-bacar TRAORE, who retains his Finance portfolio, but loses the Economic portfolio to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Minister of Internal Security and Civil Protection: General Sadio GASSAMA, retains his portfolio. Minister of Secondary and Higher Education and Scientific Research: Mr. Amadou TOURE, a Law Professor and human rights activist. A new ministry created by splitting the Education Ministry. Minister of Defense and Veterans: Mr. Natie PLEA, who changes portfolios from the Ministry of Sports. Minister of Primary Education, Literacy, and National Languages: Ms. SIDIBE Aminata DIALLO. A new ministry created by splitting the Education Ministry. Ms. Diallo was Mali's first female presidential candidate, and is a University lecturer and environmental activist. Minister of African Integration and Expatriate Malians: Mr. Badra Alou MACALOU, President of BDIA, a small party that supports the President. Minister for the Promotion of Women, Children, and the Family: Ms. MAIGA Sina DAMBA. Formerly Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Tourism; failed her attempt to get elected to the National Assembly earlier in the year. Minister of Communications and New Technology: Ms. DIARRA Mariam Flantie DIALLO, a political unknown. Minister of the Environment and Sanitation: Mr. Agathane Ag ALASSANE, formerly director of an agency charged with protecting the Niger River Basin. Minister of Labor, Public Administration, State Reform: Mr. Abdoul Wahab BERTHE, a lawyer and Vice President of the URD. His firm counts DOW Chemical as a client in a trademark BAMAKO 00001128 002 OF 002 infringement case. Minister of Social Development, Solidarity, and the Elderly: Mr. Sekou DIAKITE, a political unknown. Minister of Justice: Mr. Maharafa TROARE, a career government employee with over 10 years as the Secretary General for the Ministry of Labor. Minister of Housing and Urbanism: Ms. GAKOU Salimata FOFANA, previously a coordinator for a government housing project with considerable technical expertise. Minister of Culture: Mr. Mohamed EL MOCTAR, an advisor for the previous Prime Minister. President of the Coordinating Committee for the Arab Community in Mali. Minister of Youth nd Sports: Mr. Hamane NIANG, a transportation enrepreneur with an strong interest in basketball. A National women's team he sponsored and coached recently returned victorious from an African-wide championship tournament. Minister in charge ofInstitutional Relations, Spokesperson for the Government: Ms. DIABATE Fatoumata GUINDO, with previous experience working with the African Development Bank. Minister of State Lands: None. Ministry portfolio merged with that of the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism. Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises: None. Ministry portfolio merged with Ministry of Trade and Industry. McCulley