“I chose to place the re-establishment of peace and security at an absolute level of priority", he said as he was sworn in for a second term, Reuters reports.

His main challenge will be to address the increasing levels of attacks and inter-communal violence in the north and centre of Mali, correspondents say.

Mr Keita won the election with 67% of the vote during a second round of voting on 12 August His main rival, former finance minister Soumailia Cisse, said there was vote rigging and disputed the outcome.