Diango Cissoko will replace Cheick Modibo Diarra as Mali’s prime minister after Diarra quit under pressure from former putschists.

Mali’s Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra has resigned hours after being arrested by soldiers while trying to leave the West African nation.

A spokesperson for Mali’s military says soldiers have arrested Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra as he tried to leave the country for France.

Mali’s interim president Dioncounda Traore has "renewed his confidence" in controversial transition prime minister Cheick Modibo Diarra.

Former Nasa scientist Cheick Modibo Diarra has been named Mali’s new premier, even as its junta rounded up some of the nations top officials.

Cheick Modibo Diarra, Microsoft’s chairperson for Africa, has been named Mali’s interim leader, according to a decree read out over public media.