Ellen Attends Senegal Inauguration

President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has departed the country for Dakar, Senegal to take part in the inauguration of Senegal's new President, Mr. Macky Sall.

Mr. Sall, a former close associate of his predecessor, President Abdolaye Wade, served as Senegal's prime minister between 2004 and 2007 but broke away in 2008 to form his own opposition party. He won in the run-off against President Wade.

Mr. Sall, (50), a geological engineer, as well served as speaker of Senegal's parliament under President Wade, until they came into conflict and President Wade forced him out of the Democratic Party and his post as speaker.

On the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony, while in Dakar, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will join other leaders of the sub-regional organization, ECOWAS, to discuss the Malian crisis.

ECOWAS leaders had given Mali's military junta until yesterday , Monday, to leave power or face sanctions. The sub-regional leaders had threatened to impose sanctions - close borders, freeze assets and withhold credit - after army mutineers led by Captain Amadou Sanogo ousted Mail's constitutional government in a coup 10 days ago.

While President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is away from the country, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet, Mr. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan will coordinate the affairs of National.