(3 minutes read)
· Mali’s coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita has assumed the office of the president. He was sworn in as the transitional president yesterday (Monday)
· He reiterated his assurance that the elections will be held next year. But many do not believe him, even while the international pressure is building on him to install a civilian government
· France suspended its cooperation with the military
· African Union reacted by suspending Mali’s membership and told that it would revoke suspension only when civilian government is installed
Mali’s coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita has assumed the office of the president. He was sworn in as the transitional president yesterday (Monday). He reiterated his assurance that the elections will be held next year. But many do not believe him, even while the international pressure is building on him to install a civilian government.
Despite widespread skepticism, Goita assures the organization of credible, fair and transparent elections on the scheduled dates and vouches that Mali will honor all its commitments for and in the best interests of the nation. Importantly, Goita dismissed the transitional civilian president and prime minister on May 24. This led to widespread criticism among the international community. France suspended its cooperation with the military. African Union reacted by suspending Mali’s membership and told that it would revoke suspension only when a civilian government was installed.
International powers are also putting pressure on Mali to hold the election as promised during the first coup in 2020. The voting now is scheduled to take place in February 2022. Analysts maintain that Mali is key to the stability of the Sahel region, which has witnessed bloody violence let loose by is jihadist groups.
