BAMAKO, Mali — On Wednesday, the leader of Mali’s military junta, Colonel Assimi Goita, elevated his rank to that of army general, a prestigious title which has previously only been attributed to two former heads of state in Mali’s past. This move signifies Goita’s clear intention to maintain his grip on power following the military takeover in 2020.

The announcement of this promotion was disclosed by the Council of Ministers through a statement posted on the Malian government’s general secretariat website. Additionally, five other powerful colonels within the junta were also granted exceptional promotions to the rank of four-star general.

Experts interpret these actions as a clear indication that the current military leadership is not inclined to relinquish authority to civilian governance. Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South based in Morocco, emphasized that this development reinforces the junta leaders’ stance as they continue their rule without any immediate prospects for a democratic transition.

As of now, there has been no announcement regarding the schedule for presidential elections in Mali, leaving many uncertain about the nation’s political future.