Mali’s military leader has dismissed Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and his government.
It follows rare criticism from Maiga over the junta’s lack of clarity on a once-promised return to democracy.
A decree read on state television by junta leader Col. Assimi Goita said the duties of the prime minister and members of the government had been “terminated.”
Mali has suffered years of jihadist and separatist violence, resulting in military coups in 2020 and 2021.
The junta had promised to hold elections in March 2024 and return power to citizens, but then postponed the vote.
Relations between the military president and his civilian prime minister have been deteriorating for some time.
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Professor jailed in Mali for criticizing the junta
On Saturday, while speaking to his supporters, Maiga criticized the lack of transparency in the conduct of the transition.
“The transition was supposed to end on March 26, 2024, but has been postponed indefinitely, unilaterally, without debate within the government,” he said.
“This is not normal in a government,” he added, revealing that as prime minister he was unaware of the junta’s decision to postpone the election.
He also underlined the potential challenges and risks that the current confusion surrounding the transition could bring to the country.
Prior to his resignation, there had been calls for Maiga to resign following his outrage against military leaders.
A pro-military group, the Collective for the Defense of the Armed Forces, urged him on Sunday to resign within 72 hours, describing his outburst as treason.
But his resignation comes as no surprise given signs of months of division within the ruling class.
In June, Maiga openly supported a document by one of his supporters who had been arrested a month earlier for criticizing the military’s prolonged stay in power.
Maiga was appointed prime minister by the junta leader in 2021, following a second coup against transitional President Bah N’Daw.
The 66-year-old previously served as a minister several times and ran for president three times.
His departure from the government leads to even more uncertainty about the progress of the transition and his future.
There is speculation that he could turn into an opposition figure who could potentially challenge his former boss for the country’s top job when elections are scheduled.
There have been mixed reactions locally and regionally following his resignation, with supporters saying he should aim for the presidency, while others see him as a traitor.
The junta received popular support when it seized power three years ago.
It followed large demonstrations against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, amid complaints of corruption, economic uncertainty and insecurity.
However, the junta has struggled to contain jihadist violence – and anger among much of the population against the transitional government is growing.
Additional reporting by Nicolas Negoce
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