Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has dismissed Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the entire government amid growing tensions over the country’s delayed transition to civilian rule.
The dismissal, announced on Wednesday via a decree read on state television, ORTM, stated, “The duties of the prime minister and the members of the government are terminated.”
This action follows Maiga’s public criticism of the junta just days earlier, where he accused the military government of failing to provide clarity on plans for returning Mali to civilian rule. On Saturday, Maiga warned that the lack of a clear transition roadmap could result in “serious challenges and the risk of going backwards.”
The junta, which seized power through two coups in 2020 and 2021, initially pledged to hold elections by March 2024 to restore civilian governance. However, the military later postponed the elections indefinitely, raising widespread concerns about the transition process and the junta’s commitment to relinquishing power.
Observers had noted signs of a growing rift between Maiga and the military leadership for months. In June, Maiga supported a document critical of the junta, which was authored by a detained ally of his. His recent criticisms seemed to exacerbate the tensions, leading to his removal.
Maiga, 66, was appointed as prime minister in 2021 following the second coup. A seasoned politician, he previously served as a minister and made three bids for the presidency before being tapped for the prime ministerial role.
Maiga’s dismissal plunges Mali further into uncertainty. The country has been grappling with political instability and violence since 2012, driven by insurgencies from jihadist and separatist groups. The continued delays in the transition to civilian rule have drawn international criticism and strained relations with regional and global partners.
Maiga’s removal underscores the deepening challenges facing Mali as the junta tightens its grip on power, leaving the future of the country’s governance and stability increasingly uncertain.
