The Mali junta on Thursday appointed military officer Major General Abdoulaye Maiga as the new prime minister, a day after sacking civilian premier Choguel Kokalla Maiga following his criticism of the military leadership.

Abdoulaye Maiga previously served as the government’s spokesman.

The West African nation, beset by jihadist and separatist violence, has been under military rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021.

“Major General Abdoulaye Maiga is appointed prime minister,” read a decree issued by junta leader General Assimi Goïta and announced by the presidency’s secretary-general on the state television station ORTM.

Although Abdoulaye Maiga was not part of the initial group of colonels who overthrew the civilian president in August 2020, he quickly aligned himself with them and has since been promoted to general.

His appointment to replace the civilian prime minister appears to reinforce the military’s grip on power.

On Saturday, Choguel Kokalla Maiga publicly criticised the lack of transparency regarding the transition to civilian rule.

In June 2022, the junta pledged to hold elections and transfer power to a civilian government by the end of March 2024. However, elections have since been postponed indefinitely.

AFP