Colonel Assimi Goita, the leader of Mali’s military junta, has promoted himself to the rank of army general, the highest military honor in the country. This distinction, announced by Mali’s Council of Ministers on Wednesday, marks Goita as only the third head of state in the country’s history to hold such a rank, following in the footsteps of two previous military leaders.
The promotion is seen as a clear indication that Goita, who seized power in 2020, has no intention of transitioning Mali to civilian rule anytime soon. Alongside his self-promotion, five other key colonels who played critical roles in the junta’s rise were also promoted to four-star generals, underscoring the military’s continued grip on the West African nation’s political future.
“This is another indication that junta leaders will continue to position themselves as the only rulers, and have no intention of having a democratic transition into civilian rule anytime soon,” noted Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank.
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Since taking power, Goita and his fellow military officers have faced increasing pressure from regional and international bodies to hand over power to civilian authorities, but no date has yet been set for Mali’s presidential elections. Goita’s decision to promote himself and his inner circle of officers signals that the military regime remains firmly entrenched, likely prolonging political uncertainty in the country.
The move comes at a time when Mali, which has been battling a growing insurgency by Islamist militants, faces numerous security and economic challenges. As the country continues to navigate these turbulent times, Goita’s actions seem to suggest a focus on consolidating military power rather than facilitating a smooth transition to democracy.
