Mali’s military authorities have granted coup leader Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable “as many times as necessary” and without requiring an election. The country’s transitional parliament approved the move on Thursday, clearing the way for Goita to lead Mali until at least 2030. “This is a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali,” Malick Diaw, president of the National Transitional Council (NTC), told the AFP news agency after the bill was voted on. “The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will.” However, critics say this is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedom imposed by Mali’s military leadership to consolidate its power in the country. Goita came to power after staging two coups in Mali, first in 2020 and then in 2021. Initially, the military government pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024. The bill on Thursday was unanimously backed by the 131 members present in the NTC, according to AFP and Mali’s state-run L’Essor website.

Full story : The move clears the way for Assimi Goita to lead Mali until at least 2030, despite pledge to return to civilian rule.