The leader of Mali’s 2020 military coup, Colonel Assimi Goita, elevated himself on Wednesday to the rank of army general, a prestigious military title previously held by only two former Malian heads of state. This move signals Goita’s clear reluctance to relinquish power to civilian authorities in the West African nation.
The decision, announced by the Council of Ministers and shared on the Malian government’s official website, also included the promotion of five other key junta members to four-star generals.
Commenting on the situation, Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, remarked that this development further reinforces the junta’s intention to maintain control, delaying any democratic transition.
Mali’s presidential election remains unscheduled, adding to concerns over the country’s return to civilian rule.
