Updated

Mali has named a new government three days after President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita replaced his prime minister for a second time.

Modibo Keita, one of the country's top negotiators who is of no relation to the president, was appointed prime minister on Thursday, replacing Moussa Mara. The new 29-member government announced late Saturday features eight new ministers, including a member of the Tuareg ethnic group as environment minister and a new finance minister.

President Keita was elected 17 months ago to rebuild Mali after al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists seized the northern half of the country following a military coup in 2012. A French-led military intervention in 2013 scattered the extremists, but some remain active and there have been continued bursts of violence including attacks on U.N. peacekeepers.