Mali’s Civilian Prime Minister Sacked for Criticizing Military Leadership

Mali’s civilian Prime Minister, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, has been dismissed following his criticism of the country’s military rulers. The announcement was made on Wednesday by Alfousseyni Diawara, Secretary General of the presidential office, via a decree issued by Colonel Assimi Goïta and broadcast on state television, ORTM.

Rising Tensions with the Military Junta

Maiga’s dismissal comes days after he publicly criticized the military-led government during a rally in Bamako. He accused the junta of unilaterally and indefinitely delaying the political transition process initially scheduled to start on March 26, 2024.

The 66-year-old former prime minister expressed frustration at the lack of dialogue on the matter, stating he relied on media reports for updates. He warned that the ongoing confusion posed “serious challenges and the risk of regression.”

A Troubled Transition

Mali has been under military rule since two successive coups in 2020 and 2021. Colonel Goïta, who led the coups, became interim president and announced a 24-month transition timeline starting in March 2022 to return the country to civilian governance.

However, elections initially planned for February 2024 have been postponed indefinitely due to “technical reasons,” with no updated timeline provided. Maiga’s criticisms highlighted growing frustrations over the junta’s handling of the transition process.

Maiga’s Political Career

Appointed by the military after the 2021 coup, Maiga served as the civilian face of the junta, steering Mali’s diplomatic pivot away from France, its former colonial ruler, toward closer ties with Russia. He notably criticized France’s decision to withdraw its anti-jihadist forces from Mali in 2021, accusing the country of “abandoning” Mali and forcing the government to seek alternative partners, including the controversial Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

A seasoned politician, Maiga has previously held ministerial roles and ran for president three times. Despite his civilian status, his tenure as prime minister was characterized by limited authority and growing isolation within the government.

Uncertain Future for Mali

The government has not yet announced Maiga’s replacement, leaving questions about Mali’s political direction amid persistent instability. The West African nation continues to face significant challenges, including jihadist insurgencies, separatist movements, and international scrutiny over its alignment with Russia.

Maiga’s dismissal underscores deepening tensions within Mali’s leadership as the junta grapples with internal dissent and mounting pressure to fulfill its promise of transitioning to civilian rule.