Bamako, Mali – July 11, 2025 — Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goita, has officially signed into law a bill granting himself a five-year renewable presidential mandate, a move that effectively sidelines elections and extends his hold on power until at least 2030 — or longer, as the mandate is now renewable “as many times as necessary.”
The controversial legislation, ratified by the military-appointed transitional legislature last week and signed into law on Tuesday, entrenches Goita’s leadership over the conflict-ridden West African nation, dashing hopes of a swift return to democratic civilian rule. The law enshrines the results of the National Dialogue for Refoundation, a series of consultations held in April 2025 — consultations that were boycotted by most political parties and civil society groups who labeled the process a sham.
The bill, which the junta says reflects “the will of the people,” is the latest chapter in Mali’s deteriorating political climate under Goita’s rule, marked by an erosion of freedoms, suppression of dissent, and escalating military control.
A Pledge Broken
When General Goita seized power through a coup in August 2020, followed by another in May 2021, he promised the world a brief military transition leading to democratic elections by March 2024. That promise has now been formally discarded with the passing of the new law — a move analysts say codifies indefinite military rule under the guise of legal reforms.
“This law doesn’t just extend the transitional period; it completely rewrites Mali’s political future under military authority,” said Dr. Mamadou Konaté, a Bamako-based political analyst. “There’s now no constitutional limit on how long Assimi Goita can remain in power.”
The bill grants the head of the transitional government executive powers equivalent to those of a full-term president, including authority over national defense, foreign relations, and legislative oversight. It also abolishes key institutions that previously enabled checks and balances, further weakening any civilian oversight.
Crackdown on Democracy
The legal maneuver comes just weeks after General Goita signed a sweeping decree in May 2025 that dissolved all political parties in Mali. The unprecedented action drew sharp criticism from regional blocs and international observers, who accused the junta of dismantling the last remnants of democratic expression in the country.
The decree coincided with a sharp rise in the kidnapping and detention of pro-democracy activists in the capital Bamako and other cities. Human rights groups have reported that dozens of journalists, opposition voices, and civil society leaders have either gone missing or been detained without charge.
“Mali has become a black hole for democracy in West Africa,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. “By outlawing political parties and granting himself unchecked power, Goita has taken Mali several decades backwards.”
These developments have raised fears of a return to one-man authoritarian rule, reminiscent of the country’s post-colonial military dictatorships. Public protests have been forcefully dispersed, and media houses critical of the regime face intimidation or outright closure.
Worsening Security Crisis
Goita’s consolidation of power comes against the backdrop of a deepening insurgency by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, particularly in Mali’s north and central regions. The military’s repeated promises to restore security have yielded little progress, with terror attacks, kidnappings, and inter-ethnic violence continuing unabated.
Despite the junta’s alliance with the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, and the expulsion of French and UN forces, Mali remains one of the most dangerous places in the Sahel region. Over 6,000 people have been killed in insurgency-related violence in the last two years, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
“General Goita claims that strong leadership is needed to defeat terrorism, but Malians are asking: Where is the peace?” said Fatoumata Doumbia, a journalist with MaliWeb.
Mali’s security breakdown has also destabilized its neighbors. The violence has spilled over into Burkina Faso and Niger, both of which are also currently under military rule following similar coups in recent years. Together, these three nations formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023, a bloc that recently announced its withdrawal from the regional ECOWAS community in defiance of sanctions and pro-democracy demands.
International Response
The international community has expressed growing alarm at Mali’s political trajectory. The United Nations, African Union, and several Western governments have issued strongly worded statements urging the junta to reconsider the law and restore civilian rule.
However, General Goita has remained defiant, accusing foreign actors of “neocolonial interference” and insisting that Mali’s sovereignty will not be compromised.
“The voice of Mali will be heard, and our destiny will not be dictated by outsiders,” Goita said in a public address following the bill’s signing. “This transition will follow the will of the people, not foreign threats.”
Observers argue that the junta is using nationalist rhetoric to justify authoritarian rule while offering little in terms of practical reforms or security gains. Mali’s economic situation has also deteriorated, with rising inflation, unemployment, and a mounting humanitarian crisis in conflict zones.
A Country at a Crossroads
Mali, a landlocked country of over 21 million people, has now joined a growing list of African nations where military takeovers have upended fragile democratic institutions. With this new law, the West African nation has effectively shelved democratic elections and handed open-ended rule to one man.
“This is a tragedy for Malian democracy,” said Alioune Toure, a former constitutional court judge. “Even during past periods of instability, Malians had hope. But today, that hope is fading.”
As General Goita cements his grip on power, many Malian citizens fear that what was initially described as a short-term military-led transition is morphing into a permanent autocracy. With political opposition neutralized and democratic institutions dismantled, the road back to democracy appears increasingly uncertain.
Report by Africa Live News – All rights reserved.
