The official transition period decreed by Mali’s former French colony military government expired on March 26. Multiple political coalitions and civic groups have called for presidential elections to be held as soon as possible to return the West African country to democratic rule. These demands were announced in separate statements late Sunday by the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Mali (RDDHM), comprised of around fifty local organizations, as well as a group of political parties with over 20 signatories.
The current transitional government, installed following a second coup in 2021, had initially promised a 24-month transition period ending on March 26, 2024, with elections scheduled for February. This was in response to pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a regional bloc. However, last September, the military leaders announced a “slight” delay in the voting, citing “technical reasons” such as the adoption of a new constitution, updating of election lists, and issues with a census database.
On Sunday, Mali’s main political parties and civic groups urged the military rulers to establish an institutional framework and immediately organize presidential elections. RDDHM emphasized that the country is facing significant challenges and that the transition period is not meant to solve all of Mali’s problems. The group stated, “It is time to end this impasse, especially since the last postponement of the transition has expired on March 26.” The political group, including the toppled ex-president’s party, also declared that they would seek all legal and legitimate means if necessary.
Mali experienced consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021, both led by Colonel Assimi Goita, the country’s current interim president. The second coup in May 2021 resulted in the removal of the former French colony’s interim civilian leaders, who had been appointed following the first coup. These military actions have strained relations between France and Bamako, with the coup leaders demanding the withdrawal of French troops, citing their inability to combat a decade-long jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region.
