The Malian junta has appointed Major General Abdoulaye Maiga as the new Prime Minister, following the dismissal of civilian premier Choguel Kokalla Maiga on Wednesday. The announcement was made on Thursday via a decree issued by junta leader General Assimi Goïta and broadcast by the state television station, ORTM.
Major General Abdoulaye Maiga, who previously served as the government’s spokesperson, takes over amid continued instability in the West African nation, which has been grappling with jihadist insurgency and separatist violence.
Although Abdoulaye Maiga was not part of the original group of colonels who staged the August 2020 coup that ousted the civilian president, he has become a key ally of the military leadership and was recently promoted to the rank of general.
The dismissal of Choguel Kokalla Maiga, a civilian leader, followed his public criticism of the junta’s handling of the transition to civilian rule. On Saturday, Choguel accused the military leadership of lacking transparency regarding the promised return to democracy.
Elections Delayed Indefinitely
In June 2022, the junta committed to holding elections and transferring power to a civilian government by March 2024. However, those elections have been postponed indefinitely, raising concerns about the military’s continued grip on power.
Observers view the appointment of Abdoulaye Maiga as a move to further consolidate military control in Mali.
The country has been under military rule since two coups in 2020 and 2021, during which the junta promised to restore stability but has since faced criticism from both domestic and international actors over delays in the transition to civilian governance.
Mali’s political future remains uncertain as the junta faces increasing pressure to honor its commitment to democratic elections.