Five years after Mali’s 2020 coup, hopes of restoring stability have faded as the country remains locked in turmoil. General Assimi Goïta, who seized power promising to defeat jihadists and restore civilian rule, has instead entrenched military control. While severing ties with France and embracing Russian Wagner mercenaries brought some gains such as recapturing Kidal, jihadists still control swathes of territory amid growing reports of army abuses. This year, Goïta was handed a renewable five-year mandate without elections by the military-appointed transitional council, while political parties were dissolved and civic freedoms curtailed. Adding to tensions, Mali recently arrested a French national accused of espionage and detained former Prime Minister Choguel Maiga on claims of misappropriation, deepening fears of growing authoritarianism and instability.
RFI
