Obama congratulates president-elect of Mali

President Barack Obama offered congratulations on behalf of the United States Tuesday to Mali's President-elect Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the White House said. "Though the interim government's management of a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process, and with the extraordinary turnout of the Malian people, this election has helped restore Mali's democratic tradition," Obama said in a statement. Obama went on to say the United States looks forward to working closely with the new government of Mali ":to broaden and deepen the ties between our two nations." Former Prime Minister Keita was declared the winner of the second round of Mali's presidential election Aug. 12. A spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department said the U.S. planned to resume aid to Mali.