Why Mali’s Military Junta Fired Prime Minister Choguel Maiga

Mali’s military junta, led by General Assimi Goita, dismissed Prime Minister Choguel Maiga and his entire government on Wednesday, citing provisions in the constitution and the country’s transition charter.

The announcement, made by Alfousseyni Diawara, secretary-general of the presidency, follows Maiga’s sharp criticism of the junta’s inability to transition the country to civilian rule.

“The president of the republic, having regard to the constitution and the transition charter, has terminated the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government,” Alfousseyni Diawara said.

Over the weekend, Maiga condemned the delay in returning power to a civilian government after the junta missed the March 26, 2024 deadline and postponed elections indefinitely. It is believed that his comments led the military junta to dismiss him.

How Did Mali End Up Under a Military Junta?

Mali has been under military control since August 2020, when then-Colonel Assimi Goita led a coup against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, citing the government’s failure to address a worsening Islamist insurgency. A year after in 2021, Goita staged a second coup, ousting the interim civilian government and declaring himself transitional president.

Since taking over, the junta has distanced Mali from its Western allies and established stronger ties with Russia, including collaborating with the Wagner Group, a controversial private military contractor.

Also Read: Why There Has Been a Spate of Coups in Africa. Political Expert Tells Neusroom

Election Delays and Controversy

While the junta initially proposed an 18-month transition plan, its regime was extended by another two years after it failed to hold a scheduled election. It then agreed to hand over power by March 2024 but instead extended their stay by another three years. After another delay, a national consultation in 2024 recommended pushing elections to 2027, effectively allowing Goita to remain in power for an additional three years.

What’s more, the consultation proposed that Goita be eligible to run for president in the eventual vote, raising concerns about the military’s willingness to relinquish control.

Further Complications

Despite seizing power to uproot terrorism in the country, insecurity continues to plague Mali. During yesterday’s plenary session, the Nigerian Senate alleged that a new terrorist sect known as Lakurawa has infiltrated the northern parts of the country from Mali and Burkina Faso.

In a resolution sponsored by former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), and co-sponsored by Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) and Garba Musa Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South), the Senate raised alarms about the invasion of these new terrorist cells.

Senator Abdullahi, in his presentation on the Senate floor, stated:

“The Senate is aware that a group of terrorists from neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, known as Lakurawa, has infiltrated the country through the Nigeria-Niger border, at Illela, Tangaza, and Silame Local Government Areas of Sokoto. From there, they are attacking communities in Augie and Arewa Local Government Areas in Kebbi State.”

He also detailed some of the recent attacks allegedly carried out by the group:

“Recall that this violent gang of terrorists had raided and dispossessed these communities prior to the large-scale invasion of Mera, a village in Augie Local Government, on November 8, 2024. During the attack, they killed more than 20 people and fled with livestock worth hundreds of millions of naira.”