Mali’s Coup Leader Secures Backing for Five-Year Presidential Term
Despite earlier promises of elections, Mali’s junta leader gains support to stay in power until 2030
- Goïta backed to remain president until 2030 by a national forum organized by the ruling junta
- Elections suspended indefinitely
- Opposition groups boycott process
Mali’s military ruler, General Assimi Goïta, has secured support from key political figures to extend his presidency for another five years.
Goïta, 41, who took power in two coups—the latest in 2021—had initially pledged to hold elections, but has since backed out of that promise.
A national forum, organized by his regime and largely boycotted by major opposition parties, has recommended that he remain president until 2030.
The conference also proposed halting any electoral processes until national peace is restored. Goïta has yet to respond publicly to the endorsement, though many view the move as a strategy to cement his long-term leadership.
Opposition voices, including Mohamed Salia Touré, warn that abandoning multi-party democracy would be a grave mistake.
Since assuming power, Goïta has forged closer ties with Russia and aligned with fellow military rulers in Burkina Faso and Niger, all of whom have exited the regional bloc ECOWAS following disputes over democratic governance.
He originally overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020 and, after dissatisfaction with a civilian-led interim government, took control again in 2021. He has since risen to the rank of five-star general.
