Mali Junta Leader Approves Five-Year Tenure For Self, Renewable As Many Times As Necessary
Mali Junta Leader Approves Five-Year Tenure For Self, Renewable As Many Times As Necessary
Mali Junta Leader Approves Five-Year Tenure For Self, Renewable As Many Times As Necessary
The law, which was signed by Goïta allows the junta leader to remain in power until at least 2030. It states that the transitional president will serve “for a term of five (05) years, renewable as many times as necessary, until the country is pacified.”
Mali’s military ruler, General Assimi Goïta, has approved a controversial new law granting himself a five-year presidential term, renewable indefinitely and without the need for elections — a move that has sparked fears of a prolonged authoritarian regime.
The law, which was signed by Goïta allows the junta leader to remain in power until at least 2030. It states that the transitional president will serve “for a term of five (05) years, renewable as many times as necessary, until the country is pacified.”
This development follows the unanimous passage of the legislation last week by Mali’s transitional parliament, the National Transitional Council, with 131 out of 147 members endorsing it.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the bill effectively extends Goïta’s grip on power and delays any return to democratic civilian rule. Mali’s military authorities had previously promised to hand over power to an elected government by March 2024 — a commitment that now appears abandoned.
General Goïta, 41, seized power in two separate coups — first ousting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in August 2020, and then toppling the transitional civilian government in May 2021. After the second coup, he pledged to hold elections in 2022, a promise that has been repeatedly postponed.
“The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will,” said Malick Diaw, president of the National Transitional Council, calling it “a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali.”
However, critics argue the law cements military rule and silences opposition. In May, the junta banned political parties, triggering concerns over rising repression. Analysts warn that the indefinite extension of Goïta’s rule could derail any democratic transition and deepen political instability.
The new legislation also permits members of the transitional government — including the president, ministers, and parliamentarians — to contest future elections.
Meanwhile, Mali continues to face a worsening security crisis. On Tuesday, jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State launched coordinated attacks on military posts in several towns — the third major assault on security forces within a month.
Since assuming power, Goïta has drawn Mali closer to Russia, ended military cooperation with France, and led the country’s withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS over pressure to return to democratic rule.
Alongside Burkina Faso and Niger — both now under military rule — Mali has formed a new regional alliance aimed at resisting external influence.
