Mali coup leader granted five-year term — renewable without elections

Assimi Goïta, Mali’s military leader, has been granted a five-year presidential term by the transitional parliament, renewable without elections.

The bill was unanimously approved on Thursday by 131 members of the 147 legislators that make up the national transitional council.

The council had already adopted the measure in April.

The now approved bill says Goïta’s rule can be renewed “as many times as necessary” until Mali is “pacified”.

Malick Diaw, president of the legislative body, called the development “a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali”.

“The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will,” Diaw said.

The bill also allows the transitional president, government and legislative members, to contest in presidential and general elections.

In June 2022, the coup leaders promised a return to civilian rule but postponed elections without announcing a fresh date.

Goïta, who has seized power twice, re-echoed the promise of the return of democracy last March, but it also never materialised.

The 41-year-old military leader later fired the Malian civilian prime minister after he expressed concern over the stalled return to democracy.

Thursday’s bill clears Goïta to lead the French-speaking West African country until at least 2030.

Many fear the move could lead to the repression of dissent.

In May, the junta banned all political parties in the country, amid a growing crackdown on opposing voices since the army seized power.