Following a national dialogue in Mali, which was largely boycotted by the opposition, recommendations emerged on Friday suggesting an extension of military rule for several additional years. The dialogue participants also proposed that Colonel Assimi Goita, the leader of the junta that seized power in 2020, should be a presidential candidate when elections are eventually held.
Although the military rulers have pledged to transition power through elections, they have indefinitely postponed the polls citing security concerns exacerbated by insurgent attacks. Despite these assurances, a significant portion of the opposition refrained from participating in the dialogue, accusing the military of using it as a means to prolong their grip on power.
Mali has been under junta rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021. In April, the military authorities suspended all party political activities and imposed restrictions on dissenting voices, including opposition figures, journalists, and human rights activists.
Colonel Goita maintained that the dialogue was inclusive, emphasising his desire for all Malians to participate freely and express their views. However, the opposition remains skeptical of the junta’s intentions and continues to voice concerns over the erosion of democratic norms and freedoms in the country.
