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, clearing the way for Goita to lead Mali until at least 2030. The bill on Thursday was unanimously backed by the 131 members present in the National Transitional Council, according to AFP and Mali’s state-run L’Essor website.
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. 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. They have raised concerns about the revised transition charter, as all references to political parties have been removed, questioning the government’s political neutrality.
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