Mali’s ruling junta has appointed Abdoulaye Maiga as the new prime minister, replacing Choguel Maiga, who was dismissed after criticising the military-led government. The announcement was made on state television, ORTM, on Thursday.
Choguel Maiga had recently condemned the junta for failing to adhere to its pledge of organising elections within a 24-month transitional period. His remarks, made over the weekend, reportedly angered the ruling generals, according to sources close to him.
Mali’s military leaders, who came to power through coups in 2020 and 2021, had initially committed to holding elections by February 2024. However, the timeline has been indefinitely delayed, with the junta citing technical challenges.
The dismissal of Choguel Maiga highlights growing divisions between the junta and political allies who initially supported the coup. Appointed in 2021 as a civilian prime minister, he is among several officials to have fallen out of favour as frustration mounts over the prolonged transition to democracy.
Over the weekend, Choguel Maiga publicly criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the election delays, stating that decisions were made without his knowledge. “It’s all happening in total secrecy,” he told reporters, adding that he learned about the postponement through media reports.
Despite his dismissal, Choguel Maiga had previously been a staunch defender of the junta, often pushing back against criticism from West African nations and international allies over Mali’s military ties with Russian mercenaries and repeated election delays.
The newly appointed prime minister, Abdoulaye Maiga, has been a prominent voice in the junta. As government spokesperson, he has fiercely criticised Mali’s former colonial power, France, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of “neocolonial” attitudes. He also served as minister of territorial administration before assuming his new role.
The leadership change comes as the junta faces increasing scrutiny over its management of the transition and growing impatience from both domestic and international stakeholders.
