New Leadership In Mali: Abdoulaye Maiga Appointed To Steer Transitional Government

New Leadership In Mali: Abdoulaye Maiga Appointed To Steer Transitional Government

Mali’s ruling military junta has appointed General Abdoulaye Maiga as the country’s new prime minister, further consolidating its control over…READ MORE…

the transitional government.

This development follows the dismissal of civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga on Wednesday, November 20, after he criticized the junta’s decision to delay the 2024 presidential elections. His removal was confirmed via a presidential decree issued by military leader Gen. Assimi Goïta and announced on state media, ORTM.

On Thursday, Alfouseyni Diawara, secretary general of the Malian presidency, announced the appointment of Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga as the new prime minister. Despite sharing the same surname, the two Maigas are not related. This appointment means that all three branches of Mali’s transitional government—the presidency, the legislative National Transitional Council, and the prime minister’s office—are now under military control.

At 43, Gen. Abdoulaye Maiga has held prominent roles within the junta, including minister of territorial administration, government spokesperson, and deputy prime minister. Analysts attribute his close ties with President Goïta as a key factor in his selection.

“The appointment of General Maiga underscores the military’s tightening grip on power as the country prepares for potential elections next year,” said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Gen. Maiga has gained recognition for his fervent rhetoric, particularly against France and the now-defunct U.N. peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA. His speeches have often defended the junta’s policies and actions, including contentious military operations near the Algerian border.

Since the 2020 and 2021 coups, Mali’s military leaders have reinforced their authority, suppressing dissent through strict limitations on freedom of expression. Over a dozen politicians and activists have been detained for opposing the junta.