Mali’s Prime Minister Dismissed After Criticizing Military Leadership

Mali’s Prime Minister, Choguel Maiga, has been removed from office, state broadcaster ORTM announced. The dismissal follows Maiga’s public criticism of the ruling military junta for failing to organize elections within the agreed 24-month transition period after the 2020 and 2021 coups, as reported by Reuters.

The military rulers had initially committed to holding elections in February but postponed them indefinitely, citing technical challenges. Maiga expressed his frustration, stating he was not informed about the postponement and only learned about it through media reports.

“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Maiga told reporters over the weekend.

Maiga, a civilian leader and former head of the M5-RFP opposition coalition that led protests against ex-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita prior to his ousting, had previously been a staunch defender of the junta. He often supported their decisions, even amidst criticism from West African nations and international partners over Mali’s collaboration with Russian mercenaries and repeated delays in the election timeline.

Despite his prior loyalty, Maiga grew increasingly vocal about the junta’s lack of transparency and failure to adhere to the transition plan. Under Mali’s current legal framework, the interim president, Colonel Assimi Goïta, is tasked with appointing a new prime minister who will form a government in consultation with the military leadership.

The junta, which seized power in two coups over 2020 and 2021, faces mounting pressure to return the country to civilian rule. However, the indefinite election delay has further strained relations with regional and global allies.