• DISPATCHES
• MALI

After extending General Goïta’s term until 2030, the junta bans protests

In line with the juntas in Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali’s ruling soldiers are shutting civilian politics and extending their tenure

Facing public opposition to General Assimi Goïta’s plans to stay in power until 2030, his military junta has suspended all political activities across the country ahead of protests scheduled for 9 May. Two days before the planned demonstrations, the government announced that events were banned ‘until further notice for reasons of public order’.

A protest movement has gathered momentum since 28 April when the National Dialogue Committee (NDC) recommended naming Goïta as president with a new five-year mandate that would take his leadership into 2030. Days later, hundreds of protesters gathered in Bamako on 3 May.

The NDC, which the opposition has boycotted, also proposed the dissolution of all existing political parties. Goïta, who initially led a coup in August 2020 before assuming the presidency himself following a second coup in May 2021, has repeatedly delayed elections despite promising to hold them (Dispatches, 14/5/24, The junta chooses isolation after the EU withdraws its mission). Last May, the NDC announced that Goïta would be allowed to stand in elections planned for 2027.

So far, the junta has largely avoided the massive protests that created the conditions for it to seize power. Goïta’s rejection of French influence and the junta’s claimed military successes against jihadis and other armed groups have been popular with the public (AC Vol 64 No 24, Junta falls out with its fanbase).

Sensing a growing threat, the regime has cracked down on the opposition and media. Last July, it suspended parties and banned media coverage of political activities for three months. Civil society leaders say that the national dialogue’s recent recommendation is a brazen attempt to shut down political pluralism.

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