Mali Junta Leader Approves Five-Year Tenure for Himself, Renewable Indefinitely

 

Mali’s transitional leader, General Assimi Goïta, has signed into law a controversial bill granting himself a renewable five-year presidential term a move seen as a step away from democratic governance.

The newly enacted law permits Goïta to remain in power until at least 2030. As stated, the transitional president will serve “for a term of five (05) years, renewable as many times as necessary, until the country is pacified.”

This decision follows the unanimous passage of the bill last week by Mali’s transitional parliament, the National Transitional Council, with 131 of its 147 members endorsing the proposal.

Reports had it that the new law effectively extends Goïta’s stay in office and indefinitely delays the country’s transition back to civilian rule. Mali’s military government had previously pledged to hand over power to an elected civilian administration by March 2024 — a promise now seemingly discarded.

General Goïta, now 41 years old, initially seized power in August 2020 by overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, and again staged a second coup in May 2021, toppling the civilian-led transitional government. Afterward, he pledged to hold elections by 2022, a commitment that has been postponed multiple times.

Supporters of the move, like Malick Diaw, President of the National Transitional Council, argue it reflects public consensus.

“The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will,” said Diaw, who hailed it as “a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali.”

On the other hand, critics contend that the legislation entrenches military dominance and suppresses dissent. Political parties were banned in May, intensifying concerns over the junta’s authoritarian shift. Observers warn the indefinite extension could derail democratic progress and further destabilize Mali’s political landscape.

Additionally, the law allows current members of the transitional government — including the president, ministers, and parliamentarians — to run in future elections.

As political uncertainty grows, Mali faces worsening insecurity. On Tuesday, jihadist factions linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State launched coordinated attacks on military bases across multiple towns — marking the third major offensive in one month.

Since consolidating power, Goïta has repositioned Mali geopolitically, ending military cooperation with France, strengthening ties with Russia, and withdrawing from ECOWAS in protest against regional pressure to restore civilian rule.

Together with Burkina Faso and Niger, both of which are also under military control, Mali has established a new regional alliance aimed at resisting foreign influence.