Mali’s ruling junta on Thursday (November 21, 2024) appointed its spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister, a day after dismissing Choguel Maiga who had criticized the administration, state television said. ORTM Informed.
Choguel Maga was quoted over the weekend condemning the junta’s failure to hold elections within the 24-month promise of a return to democracy – a statement that angered the ruling generals, said a source close to Mr Maga. said
The military rulers, who seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised to hold elections in February, but have postponed the vote indefinitely, blaming technical issues.
His dismissal of Choguel Maga comes amid signs of deep frustration and division among Malian politicians, even among those who initially supported the coup and worked with the junta.
Choguel Maiga – a civilian appointed prime minister by the military junta in 2021 – is the latest of many to lose support due to the wait for elections.
On Saturday, he was quoted as saying that there has been no debate within the government on postponing the elections and that he learned about the junta’s decision from the media.
“All this is happening in complete secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Choguel Maiga told reporters.
Previously, he had regularly defended Mali’s junta in the face of criticism from West African neighbors and international allies, who condemned its military collaboration with Russian mercenaries.
published – November 22, 2024 10:21 am IST
