Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing Choguel Maiga who had criticised the administration, state television ORTM reported.

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's junta leader fired Prime Minister Choguel Maïga and the government on Wednesday, days after Maïga criticized the military regime. The move was announced in a presidential decree issued by Col. Assimi Goita, Mali's leader. It was read by the secretary general of the presidency on state television channel ORTM.

The ruling junta of Mali appointed its spokesman as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday, after his civilian predecessor was fired for criticizing the administration. The spokesman, Col. Abdoulaye Maiga,