MALI: Junta Secures Open-Ended Rule As Country Edges Closer To Authoritarianism 

By Onoja Baba, Africa

Mali’s ruling junta has taken a significant step away from democratic governance, as the country’s transitional parliament on Thursday approved a bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goita a renewable five-year term, without an election.

The bill, passed by the 147-member National Transitional Council, effectively legitimizes Goita’s hold on power until at least 2030 and paves the way for indefinite rule. It awaits only his signature to become law.

Though initially promising a return to civilian rule by March 2024 following two coups in 2020 and 2021, the junta has steadily tightened its grip on power.

This latest development has raised fears of a deepening authoritarian drift in the West African nation.

“This is a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali,” said Malick Diaw, president of the transitional council, defending the move as necessary amid the country’s ongoing security crisis.

However, critics argue the junta is using Mali’s jihadist insurgency and fragile security situation as justification for sweeping political control.

Since 2012, the country has battled escalating violence from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, a conflict that has intensified in recent months.

The new term arrangement was first proposed earlier this year during a national assembly organized by the junta, which also recommended the dissolution of political parties, a recommendation the military government enforced in May by banning all political parties.

Analysts view these moves as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent, dismantle democratic institutions, and solidify military rule.

What began as a transitional military government promising reform and elections has now become a civilian-shelled military regime with little room for opposition.

The West African regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and international observers have yet to issue formal statements on the vote, but the development is expected to spark renewed scrutiny and diplomatic tension.