In the capital of Mali, Bamako, a significant political conference organized by the nation’s military authorities has proposed that the current junta leader, General Assimi Goita, should be appointed as president. Goita, who gained power after conducting coups in the years 2020 and 2021, is now set to be named for the nation’s highest position.
During the national dialogue, which took place on Tuesday, attendees suggested the disbandment of existing political parties and the removal of the formal title held by the opposition leader. According to Abdou Salam Diepkilé, who leads the territorial administration and acted as a principal reporter for the conference, it was decided that Goita should assume the presidency for a term of five years, with the possibility of renewal.
Speculations about dissolving political parties have been present since the meeting commenced on Monday. More than 400 delegates from different regions, the Bamako district, and Malian communities overseas participated in the talks. However, the political parties claimed their exclusion from the conference and criticized the military government’s suppressive actions.
Speaking on behalf of the political factions, Abdoulaye Yaro, the chief of staff for the Yelema party led by ex-Prime Minister Moussa Mara, stated that the discussions do not reflect the voice of the Malian populace, as political entities were not involved. He criticized the potential enforcement of these outcomes, highlighting that appointing someone who was not elected as the president contravenes the Malian constitution, which could have severe implications.
Mali is a country located in the Sahel region, experiencing severe political unrest that mirrors a broader wave of instability affecting Western and Central Africa over the past decade. The country has undergone two military coups since 2020 amidst an escalating conflict involving jihadist factions linked to both al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. The military junta has since dominated governance, significantly restricting political activities by suspending operations in April 2024.
Back in June 2022, the junta had committed to transitioning back to a civilian government by March 2024. However, they later delayed the elections, and to date, no presidential election has been scheduled. Additionally, there has been no announcement regarding the appointment of a new prime minister, leaving the political future of Mali uncertain.