Mali's PM fired after criticizing prolonged elections

21/11/2024 6:19

        Mali's Prime Minister Choguel
        Maiga has been fired, state television ORTM said on Wednesday of
        the civilian who criticised the ruling junta's failure to
        organise elections within a promised 24-month transition back to
        democracy.
        
        The military rulers, who seized power in successive
        coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised to hold elections in
        February but postponed the vote indefinitely for technical
        reasons.
        
        Last week, Maiga said there had been no debate on the
        elections' postponement within the government and that he found
        out about the junta's decision from the media.
        
        "It's all happening in total secrecy, without the prime
        minister's knowledge," Maiga told reporters on Saturday.
        
        His comments sparked tensions with the junta, forcing it
        to postpone a ministerial council meeting planned for Wednesday,
        a source close to Maiga told Reuters.
        
        Maiga had fervently defended Mali's junta as West
        African neighbours and international allies criticised its
        military cooperation with Russian mercenaries and repeated
        election delays.
        
        Under the law, Maiga's successor would have to form a
        new government in consultation with interim President Assimi
        Goïta.
        
        Before being named prime minister in 2021, Maiga served
        as Mali's commerce minister under former President Amadou
        Toumani Toure and as digital economy minister under former
        President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
        
        Maiga was also the leader of the M5-RFP opposition
        coalition that spearheaded protests against Keita before his
        overthrow.