Mali's Prime Minister calls for unity, pushing for completion of transition process

The delay in the transfer of power in Mali has caused Mali's civilian Prime Minister, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, to speak out on November 16.

Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga. (Source: primature)

Choguel Kokalla Maiga called on the country's military leaders to discuss ending the "transition" period, a rare criticism of the current government.

The West African country's military has been in power since successive coups in 2020 and 2021. In June 2022, the government pledged to hold elections and transfer power by the end of March 2024, but has since postponed the vote indefinitely.

According to Mr. Maiga, the transition was supposed to end on March 26, but was postponed without discussion within the government. This is creating serious challenges. However, he praised the armed forces and called for unity and “respect for the government, ensuring strength and stability.”

In May, the opposition May Movement (M5-RFP) issued a public statement criticizing the military leaders after they failed to meet a deadline to hand over power to civilians. An ally of Mr Maiga, who signed the statement, was sentenced to a year in prison in July, before being released in September after a reduced sentence. Eleven people who had criticized the government's actions were arrested in June for "conspiracy against the judiciary".

Mali has been in political and security crisis since 2012 due to attacks by jihadists and other armed groups as well as clashes between the army and separatists in the north of the country.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-mali-keu-goi-doan-ket-thuc-day-hoan-tat-qua-trinh-chuyen-tiep-294073.html