Latest news with #NationalTransitionalCouncil
CTV News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Mali ex-prime minister to stand trial over social media post, lawyer says
In this file photo, leader of Mali's ruling junta Lt. Col. Assimi Goita, centre, walks with President of Mali's National Transitional Council Malick Diaw, centre-right, as they arrive for an independence day military parade in Bamako, Mali Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (AP Photo) BAMAKO — A Malian court has detained and charged former Prime Minister Moussa Mara over a social media post criticizing shrinking democratic space under military rule in the West African nation, his lawyer said late Friday. Mara is one of few public figures in the country who has been willing to openly question moves taken this year to dissolve political parties and grant the military government, led by Assimi Goita, a five-year mandate without elections. Last month, authorities formally approved Goita's five-year term and said it could be renewed as many times as necessary as Mali struggles to respond to a long-running jihadist insurgency. Goita assumed power after military coups in 2020 and 2021. Mara had been summoned several times for questioning this month over a social media post dated July 4 expressing solidarity with government critics who have been jailed.
The South African
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Goïta new term: Is Mali's democracy paused or cancelled?
The National Transitional Council (NTC) granted Mali's military leader, General Assimi Goïta, a five-year term on 3 July 2025. He has served as the president of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since 2024 and as Mali's interim president since 2021. The bill received strong legislative support, with 131 votes in favour out of 147 members present during the vote. The Council of Ministers approved the proposal in June, prior to its confirmation by parliament. Until Mali is considered 'pacified', the law permits unlimited renewals without requiring elections. NTC President Malick Diaw described the initiative as 'a significant advancement' for Mali's rehabilitation. PROMISES BY GOÏTA POSTPONED Following the two coups in 2020 and 2021, Goïta initially promised to hold elections by March 2024. The interim government has not yet announced a new date for the elections, and no elections have occurred. Moreover, Goïta reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, but no official plan was created. November 2024 saw the ousting of Prime Minister Choguel Maiga from office due to his criticism of election postponements. Furthermore, Maiga warned against unilaterally postponing the switchover without consulting the cabinet or the general public. Mali's junta banned public gatherings nationwide and disbanded all political parties in May 2025. The revised charter's removal of references to political plurality raised concerns regarding impartiality. According to officials, the initiatives aim to strengthen Mali against instability and Islamist threats. Human rights groups caution that military rule will intensify repression and diminish public space. Despite current restrictions, the transitional law permits junta members to participate in the upcoming elections. Goïta and the AES are leading a joint initiative with a regional army of 5,000 soldiers to conduct military operations against armed groups. All three countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) have strengthened their ties to Russia. Mali left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in protest of calls for the return of civilian rule and democracy. Even with military actions and international cooperation, jihadist violence continues to escalate. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mali military chief granted renewable five-year presidential term
Mali's military authorities have granted coup leader Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable 'as many times as necessary' and without requiring an election. The country's transitional parliament approved the move on Thursday, clearing the way for Goita to lead Mali until at least 2030. 'This is a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali,' Malick Diaw, president of the National Transitional Council (NTC), told the AFP news agency after the bill was voted on. 'The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will.' However, critics say this is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedom imposed by Mali's military leadership to consolidate its power in the country. Goita came to power after staging two coups in Mali, first in 2020 and then in 2021. Initially, the military government pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024. The bill on Thursday was unanimously backed by the 131 members present in the NTC, according to AFP and Mali's state-run L'Essor website. The NTC, composed of 147 legislators, had already adopted the measure in April, while the Council of Ministers adopted it last month. It now only requires the approval of Goita himself. The transition is fixed at five years, renewable 'as many times as necessary, until the pacification of the country, from the promulgation of this charter', reported AFP, quoting the bill. Previous bans have also been lifted, allowing the transitional president, government and legislative members to stand in presidential and general elections, the text says. Critics have raised concerns about the revised transition charter, as all references to political parties have been removed, questioning the government's political neutrality. In May, the military government announced the dissolution of all political parties and organisations, as well as a ban on meetings. The continuing squeeze on Mali's civic space comes against a backdrop of a clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the Goita was officially sworn in as transitional president in June 2021, he insisted on Mali's commitment to fighting against 'jihadist' violence, and initially pledged a return to civilian rule. But the military ultimately reneged on its promise to cede power to elected civilians by its self-imposed deadline. Since 2012, Mali has been mired in violence carried out by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL, as well as criminal organisations. Attacks have intensified in recent weeks. However, the Malian army and its Russian mercenary allies from the Africa Corps, tasked with tracking down armed fighters, are regularly accused of their own rights violations against civilians. Mali and its military-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger have teamed up to create their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and announced the creation of a joint 5,000-strong force for joint military operations. All three Sahelian countries have turned their backs on their shared former coloniser, France, in favour of stronger ties with Russia and other partners. Goita has also withdrawn Mali from the regional group, ECOWAS, over its demands that Mali restore democratic rule, and Burkina Faso and Niger have followed suit. The coup that brought Goita to power overthrew then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after huge antigovernment protests against his rule and handling of the armed rebellion. However, armed attacks have continued and even intensified since he took power.
Al Jazeera
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Mali military chief granted renewable five-year presidential term
Mali's military authorities have granted coup leader Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable 'as many times as necessary' and without requiring an election. The country's transitional parliament approved the move on Thursday, clearing the way for Goita to lead Mali until at least 2030. 'This is a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali,' Malick Diaw, president of the National Transitional Council (NTC), told the AFP news agency after the bill was voted on. 'The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will.' However, critics say this is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedom imposed by Mali's military leadership to consolidate its power in the country. Goita came to power after staging two coups in Mali, first in 2020 and then in 2021. Initially, the military government pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024. The bill on Thursday was unanimously backed by the 131 members present in the NTC, according to AFP and Mali's state-run L'Essor website. The NTC, composed of 147 legislators, had already adopted the measure in April, while the Council of Ministers adopted it last month. It now only requires the approval of Goita himself. The transition is fixed at five years, renewable 'as many times as necessary, until the pacification of the country, from the promulgation of this charter', reported AFP, quoting the bill. Previous bans have also been lifted, allowing the transitional president, government and legislative members to stand in presidential and general elections, the text says. Critics have raised concerns about the revised transition charter, as all references to political parties have been removed, questioning the government's political neutrality. In May, the military government announced the dissolution of all political parties and organisations, as well as a ban on meetings. The continuing squeeze on Mali's civic space comes against a backdrop of a clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the military. Violence from armed groups When Goita was officially sworn in as transitional president in June 2021, he insisted on Mali's commitment to fighting against 'jihadist' violence, and initially pledged a return to civilian rule. But the military ultimately reneged on its promise to cede power to elected civilians by its self-imposed deadline. Since 2012, Mali has been mired in violence carried out by armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL, as well as criminal organisations. Attacks have intensified in recent weeks. However, the Malian army and its Russian mercenary allies from the Africa Corps, tasked with tracking down armed fighters, are regularly accused of their own rights violations against civilians. Mali and its military-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger have teamed up to create their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and announced the creation of a joint 5,000-strong force for joint military operations. All three Sahelian countries have turned their backs on their shared former coloniser, France, in favour of stronger ties with Russia and other partners. Goita has also withdrawn Mali from the regional group, ECOWAS, over its demands that Mali restore democratic rule, and Burkina Faso and Niger have followed suit. The coup that brought Goita to power overthrew then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita after huge antigovernment protests against his rule and handling of the armed rebellion. However, armed attacks have continued and even intensified since he took power.
Business Insider
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Mali junta leader gets renewable five-year term without elections
Mali's transitional parliament has approved a controversial bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goïta a five-year presidential term, renewable without the need for elections. Mali's transitional parliament has approved a bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goïta a five-year renewable presidential term. This development was backed by recommendations from an April national conference of political stakeholders. The bill provisions indefinite tenure based on national pacification, raising concerns of potential military rule expansion. Mali's transitional parliament has approved a controversial bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goïta a five-year presidential term, renewable without the need for elections. This follows recommendations from an April national conference of political stakeholders that proposed appointing Goïta, 41, as president for a five-year term. The bill allows for the extension of his tenure 'as many times as necessary' until the country is deemed 'pacified,' a vague clause that critics fear could lead to indefinite military rule. Mali has been under military rule since August 2020, part of a wave of coups that have swept West and Central Africa in recent years, including in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. Abandoned transition plans Initially, under international pressure, including from the United Nations Security Council, the junta agreed to hand over power to a civilian-led interim government with elections slated for February 2022. However, after a fallout with the interim leadership, the military reversed its stance and abandoned the transition. With this move, Gen. Goïta could remain in power until at least 2030, sparking fears among critics and civil society groups of increasing political repression and a clampdown on dissent in the West African nation. On Thursday, Mali's transitional parliament, the National Transitional Council, formally approved the bill with 131 of 147 members voting in favour. The approval comes amid rising concerns over political repression. In May, the junta banned all political parties, intensifying a broader crackdown on dissent that has continued since the military seized power. The Mali Junta has been focused on tackling the enduring insurgency in Mali's northern and central regions, where jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda have maintained a stronghold for over a decade.
