Goïta new term: Is Mali's democracy paused or cancelled?
He has served as the president of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since 2024 and as Mali's interim president since 2021.
The bill received strong legislative support, with 131 votes in favour out of 147 members present during the vote.
The Council of Ministers approved the proposal in June, prior to its confirmation by parliament.
Until Mali is considered 'pacified', the law permits unlimited renewals without requiring elections.
NTC President Malick Diaw described the initiative as 'a significant advancement' for Mali's rehabilitation. PROMISES BY GOÏTA POSTPONED
Following the two coups in 2020 and 2021, Goïta initially promised to hold elections by March 2024.
The interim government has not yet announced a new date for the elections, and no elections have occurred.
Moreover, Goïta reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, but no official plan was created.
November 2024 saw the ousting of Prime Minister Choguel Maiga from office due to his criticism of election postponements.
Furthermore, Maiga warned against unilaterally postponing the switchover without consulting the cabinet or the general public.
Mali's junta banned public gatherings nationwide and disbanded all political parties in May 2025.
The revised charter's removal of references to political plurality raised concerns regarding impartiality.
According to officials, the initiatives aim to strengthen Mali against instability and Islamist threats.
Human rights groups caution that military rule will intensify repression and diminish public space.
Despite current restrictions, the transitional law permits junta members to participate in the upcoming elections.
Goïta and the AES are leading a joint initiative with a regional army of 5,000 soldiers to conduct military operations against armed groups.
All three countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) have strengthened their ties to Russia.
Mali left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in protest of calls for the return of civilian rule and democracy.
Even with military actions and international cooperation, jihadist violence continues to escalate.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Gayton praises son's success: 'You grew up seeing me in jail'
Gayton McKenzie has heaped praise on his eldest son, Calvin Le John, who recently purchased SuperSport United, which he will rename Siwelele FC. The Minister of Sport has spoken about having eight children – from six women – including the advocate who helped him during his army robbery prison sentence. In an emotional Facebook post, Gayton McKenzie praised his eldest son, Calvin Le John, for his successful acquisition of SuperSport United. The 51-year-old shared how Calvin was born mere hours after he was convicted of armed robbery in 1996. He posted of his son: 'You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously just like me and him when I was young. Gayton McKenzie has praised his son Calvin Le John for purchasing SuperSport United. Calvin plans to rename the club Siwelele FC. Images via X 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally. Knowing that you're doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. Despite not having his father around, Gayton claims that Calvin Le John – who changed his last name – was a 'good kid with good intentions'. He continued: 'You suffered not growing up without your Dad. I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. You are the main reason why I behaved better. Because I wanted to come out and didn't wanna see you grow up through jail bars forever. After Gayton was freed and established his political party, the Patriotic Alliance, Calvin stepped up to take control of the family businesses. He has been at the helm, ever since. Of his decision to purchase the club, which they hope to bring to Bloemfontein, Gayton added: 'I agree fully with your purchase of SuperSport [United]. Because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele. 'Siwelele is not a team, it's our Heritage, our culture, and part of our soul'. Gayton McKenzie has stayed mum about the identities of the six women who birthed his eight children, one of them being Calvin Le John. However, it is public knowledge that he wed lawyer, Nicolette Joubert, in 2003. This came after Nicolette was sent to investigate Gayton and others' allegations of corruption at the Grootvlei Prison involving prison gangs, warders, and inmates. The exposé became international news, and Gayton was named one of the 'Grootvlei Four.' The couple had two daughters together. A decade later, Gayton hinted that he had wronged his wife, whom he had since divorced. He tweeted: 'I hurt my ex-wife indescribably. But a bad word about me will never be heard by strangers or our kids, sheer class always.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
9 hours ago
- The South African
Goïta new term: Is Mali's democracy paused or cancelled?
The National Transitional Council (NTC) granted Mali's military leader, General Assimi Goïta, a five-year term on 3 July 2025. He has served as the president of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) since 2024 and as Mali's interim president since 2021. The bill received strong legislative support, with 131 votes in favour out of 147 members present during the vote. The Council of Ministers approved the proposal in June, prior to its confirmation by parliament. Until Mali is considered 'pacified', the law permits unlimited renewals without requiring elections. NTC President Malick Diaw described the initiative as 'a significant advancement' for Mali's rehabilitation. PROMISES BY GOÏTA POSTPONED Following the two coups in 2020 and 2021, Goïta initially promised to hold elections by March 2024. The interim government has not yet announced a new date for the elections, and no elections have occurred. Moreover, Goïta reaffirmed his commitment to democracy, but no official plan was created. November 2024 saw the ousting of Prime Minister Choguel Maiga from office due to his criticism of election postponements. Furthermore, Maiga warned against unilaterally postponing the switchover without consulting the cabinet or the general public. Mali's junta banned public gatherings nationwide and disbanded all political parties in May 2025. The revised charter's removal of references to political plurality raised concerns regarding impartiality. According to officials, the initiatives aim to strengthen Mali against instability and Islamist threats. Human rights groups caution that military rule will intensify repression and diminish public space. Despite current restrictions, the transitional law permits junta members to participate in the upcoming elections. Goïta and the AES are leading a joint initiative with a regional army of 5,000 soldiers to conduct military operations against armed groups. All three countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger) have strengthened their ties to Russia. Mali left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in protest of calls for the return of civilian rule and democracy. Even with military actions and international cooperation, jihadist violence continues to escalate. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie pays tribute to his son Calvin Le John for purchasing Siwelele FC
Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie and his son, Calvin Le John, who has purchased Siwelele FC for R50 million from PSL outfit Supersport United. Image: Facebook The R50 million sale of Supersport United to Calvin Le John, the son of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, has raised eyebrows around the country, as many question possible conflict of interest. Although the deal still awaits final approval from the PSL Executive Committee, McKenzie seems confident that this will be no issue, waxing platitudes about his businessman son, who is running their family business. Taking to Facebook on Saturday morning, amid many questions around the deal, McKenzie said his eldest son had been born 'five hours after I have been jailed for 17 years'. 'You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously just like me and him when I was young,' he said, attempting to connect with fans of the defunct Bloemfontein Celtics. McKenzie said the purchase of Siwelele FC was a moment of connection between himself, and his son. 'I remember you told me that it brings you closer to me emotionally knowing that you are doing the same thing I did with my father and your grandfather. 'You suffered not growing up without your dad, I thank God for a powerful mother who stood in the gap. 'You are the main reason why I behaved better because I wanted to come out and didn't wanna see you grow up through jail bars forever,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ McKenzie said he has handed over control of their family business to his son, since he was now dedicated to his political party, the Patriotic Alliance. 'You have taken full control of the family businesses, you move differently than me, you take the businesses in another direction and I trust you, don't always agree but I trust you. 'I agree fully with your purchase of Supersport because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele. 'Lastly to the people of the Free State Siwelele is not a team, it's our Heritage, our Culture and part of our Soul. My friend Jessica Motaung tried everything to make me a Chiefs supporter and I steadfastly refused because Siwelele is in my bone marrow,' said McKenzie. IOL
