Latest news with #Goita
DW
2 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Mali's junta tightens grip after five years of military rule – DW – 06/17/2025
When General Assimi Goita seized power in 2020, many hoped it would bring positive change to Mali, a country grappling with jihadist attacks and an economic crisis. What has actually happened in the past five years? In 2020 and 2021, General Assimi Goita siezed power of Mali, bringing the country under military rule. Elections scheduled for February 2024 were postponed due to "technical reasons," including issues related to the adoption of a new constitution and a review of electoral lists. A new date has not been announced. In June 2025, the National Transitional Council approved a bill granting Goita an additional five-year term, extending his presidency until at least 2030. Stalled fight against Islamist rebels One of the main justifications for the coup was to improve the nation's security amid a growing number of jihadist attacks. However, this plan has not worked, said Ahmed Ould Abdallah, president of the Sahel Sahara Center for Security Strategies. "Not only has terrorism not disappeared, it is actually increasing and becoming more intense. It no longer affects only the north and center of the country, but also the south toward Sikasso, and the Kayes region in the west," he told DW. In early June 2025, several Malian army positions were attacked by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM. At least 30 people were killed in the attack on a camp. In September 2024, JNIM succeeded in attacking Bamako and occupied the airport for several hours. In July 2024, heavy fighting took place in the town of Tinzaouatene near the Algerian border. Tuareg separatists inflicted heavy losses on the Malian army and the Russian-backed Wagner Group. What's driving Russia's ambitious push into Africa? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fousseyni Ouattara, vice president of the Defense and Security Commission of Mali's transitional parliament, the National Transitional Council, told DW he blames "invisible hands" for the recent attacks, without offering a specific explanation. He claims that Mali is in control of its territory. "There is no doubt that the situation has improved compared to four years ago," he said. "Today, we are acting with full sovereignty. The capture of Kidal shows that there has been a major change." In November 2023, the Malian Armed Forces, with the help of Wagner Group mercenaries, recaptured the northern city of Kidal from the CSP rebel alliance. The Ministry of Defense's 2025 budget is 485 billion CFA francs (about $858 million), accounting for nearly 20% of the national budget. Some voices feel it's disproportionate. "At some point, you have to negotiate," Yoyana Baniara, a former judge and politician in Chad, told DW. "If you put a larger portion of resources into war, you put the country in a difficult economic situation." Dissolution of political parties, suppression of free speech in Mali In May 2025, the Malian authorities decided to dissolve all political parties. Many, including Sidylamine Bagayoko, professor of anthropology at the University of Bamako, feel it was the wrong move. "It is political debate that enriches the diversity of discussions and opinions so that the country can move forward," says Bagayoko. Since Mali had close to 300 political parties, many agreed that the system was in need of reform. But such an extreme decision, according to Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel regional office for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bamako, amounts to an "abolition of the opposition." May 3, 2025: Pro-junta demonstrators in Bamako chant slogans as opposing political parties protest against their dissolution Image: AFP Indeed, opposition voices seem to come increasingly under threat. The opportunities to freely express one's opinion in Mali have deteriorated over the past five years, said Claus-Dieter König, head of the West Africa office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) in Dakar. "Goita is becoming a dictatorial ruler. Opposition members live in fear of being arrested. Radio stations have been banned and it is more difficult to obtain licenses," König says. Journalists in the country feel pressure not to write about army losses in the fight against jihadists or about Russian mercenaries, say experts, Oppression in every corner Several pro-democracy activists have recently been detained in Mali. According to Human Rights Watch, two opposition leaders who took part in protests in early May have disappeared. Research by the journalist consortium Forbidden Stories found that Malian civilians have been arbitrarily arrested, kidnapped, and tortured in secret prisons. They say Mali's army and the Wagner Group are behind this. Government member Fousseyni Ouattara rejects such accusations: "In Mali, our prisons are open to everyone. Anyone can visit them. No one is arbitrarily arrested," he told DW. Mali's academic sector is also under threat, says professor Sidylamine Bagayoko: "From 2020 to the present, we have seen several academics imprisoned. As a result, other intellectuals who want to write about restrictions on freedoms, or express their opinions about it. remain cautious." Assimi Goita took control of Mali through two coups Image: AP Photo/picture alliance However, despite concerns related to freedom of expression, the current regime still has many supporters, said Laessing. 'I do believe that the predominantly young population still supports the government because they did not want a return to the old elites, who, although elected, were considered corrupt and very close to France.' Fighting corruption while Mali's economy struggles When it comes to corruption, some observers are cautiously optimistic. "In the population survey we conduct annually, respondents say they see an improvement," says Svenja Bode, resident representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Mali office in Bamako. In 2021, about 90% of respondents said they believed corruption in Mali was very high. This figure has fallen to 58% according to this year's survey which was released in May. Yet regardless of whether or not such perceptions are accurate, it is clear that the government has taken some steps towards reducing corruption — and made sure they were covered by the media, said Bode. Yet fighting corruption is one thing; improving everyday life is another. 'I don't yet see the major economic progress that will ultimately translate into better living conditions,' said Claus‑Dieter König of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Mali recently introduced an unpopular new tax on mobile communications and mobile‑money transfers. Explainer: What the German troop withdrawal from Mali means To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Education initiatives suffer Meanwhile, power shortages remain a serious problem, and the cost of living has risen sharply due to inflation linked in part to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has driven up the cost of materials worldwide. "Mali imports everything from gasoline to grain, is heavily dependent on the world market and has no access to the coast,' said Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. At the same time, experts such as Laessing say Western countries, including France, are suspending their work in Mali as Russia becomes more involved. The shift is negatively affecting education initiatives. Laessing said he spoke with Malian participants at an education conference in Tunisia who told him that although there are many initiatives and plans, few are implemented. Reliou Koubakin and Etienne Gatanazi contributed to this article. It was edited by Sarah Hucal.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Mali starts construction of Russian-backed gold refinery
The government has not provided a deadline for the plant's completion. Once fully operational, it will process all gold produced in Mali into dore bars before it is exported, with a capacity nearly four times Mali's annual gold production. Yadran president Irek Salikhov said at the ceremony the refinery will become "a regional centre for processing gold extracted not only in Mali, but also in neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso". West Africa is a major gold producer, but lacks a functional and globally certified gold refinery despite attempts to create one, including by Ghana, the continent's top gold producer. The refinery is part of Goita's sweeping mining reforms introduced since the military leader seized power in 2021 and severed relations with Western partners. Mali's revised mining code, the same as those of neighbours Guinea, Niger and Burkina Faso, has rattled investors. A Malian court this month put Canadian miner Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex under temporary state control, escalating an ongoing dispute over Mali's tax claims. Goita said the refinery would enable Mali to better track its gold production and exports. Like many African countries, it loses billions to gold smuggling due to the absence of certified gold refineries and traceability programmes.
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
A look at Mali after five years of military rule – DW – 06/17/2025
When General Assimi Goita seized power in 2020, many hoped it would bring positive change to Mali, a country grappling with jihadist attacks and an economic crisis. What has actually happened in the past five years? In 2020 and 2021, General Assimi Goita siezed power of Mali, bringing the country under military rule. Elections scheduled for February 2024 were postponed due to "technical reasons," including issues related to the adoption of a new constitution and a review of electoral lists. A new date has not been announced. In June 2025, the National Transitional Council approved a bill granting Goita an additional five-year term, extending his presidency until at least 2030. Stalled fight against Islamist rebels One of the main justifications for the coup was to improve the nation's security amid rising jihadist attacks. However, this plan has not worked, said Ahmed Ould Abdallah, president of the Sahel Sahara Center for Security Strategies. "Not only has terrorism not disappeared, it is actually increasing and becoming more intense. It no longer affects only the north and center of the country, but also the south toward Sikasso, and the Kayes region in the west," he told DW. In early June 2025, several Malian army positions were attacked by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM. At least 30 people were killed in the attack on a camp. In September 2024, JNIM succeeded in attacking Bamako and occupied the airport for several hours. In July 2024, heavy fighting took place in the town of Tinzaouatène near the Algerian border. Tuareg separatists inflicted heavy losses on the Malian army and the Russian-backed Wagner Group. What's driving Russia's ambitious push into Africa? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fousseyni Ouattara, vice president of the Defense and Security Commission of Mali's transitional parliament, the National Transitional Council told DW he blames "invisible hands" for the recent attacks, without offering a specific explanation. He claims that Mali is in control of its territory. "There is no doubt that the situation has improved compared to four years ago," he said. "Today, we are acting with full sovereignty. The capture of Kidal shows that there has been a major change." In November 2023, the Malian Armed Forces, with the help of Wagner Group mercenaries, recaptured the northern city of Kidal from the CSP rebel alliance. The Ministry of Defense's 2025 budget is 485 billion CFA francs (about $858 million), accounting for nearly 20% of the national budget. Some voices feel it's disproportionate. "At some point, you have to negotiate," Yoyana Baniara, a former judge and politician in Chad, told DW. "If you put a larger portion of resources into war, you put the country in a difficult economic situation." Dissolution of political parties, suppression of free speech In May 2025, the Malian authorities decided to dissolve all political parties. Many, including Sidylamine Bagayoko, professor of anthropology at the University of Bamako, feel it was the wrong move. "It is political debate that enriches the diversity of discussions and opinions so that the country can move forward," says Bagayoko. Since Mali had close to 300 political parties, many agreed that the system was in need of reform. But such an extreme decision, according to Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel regional office for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bamako, amounts to an "abolition of the opposition." May 3, 2025: Pro-junta demonstrators in Bamako chant slogans as opposing political parties protest against their dissolution Image: AFP Indeed, opposition voices seem to come increasingly under threat. The opportunities to freely express one's opinion in Mali have deteriorated over the past five years, said Claus-Dieter König, head of the West Africa office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation (RLS) in Dakar. "Goita is becoming a dictatorial ruler. Opposition members live in fear of being arrested. Radio stations have been banned and it is more difficult to obtain licenses," he says. Journalists in the country feel pressure not to write about army losses in the fight against jihadists or about Russian mercenaries, say experts, Oppression in every corner Several pro-democracy activists have recently been detained in Mali. According to Human Rights Watch, two opposition leaders who took part in protests in early May have disappeared. Research by the journalist consortium Forbidden Stories found that Malian civilians have been arbitrarily arrested, kidnapped, and tortured in secret prisons. They say Mali's army and the Wagner Group are behind this. Government member Fousseyni Ouattara rejects such accusations: "In Mali, our prisons are open to everyone. Anyone can visit them. No one is arbitrarily arrested," he told DW. Mali's academic sector is also under threat, says professor Sidylamine Bagayoko: "From 2020 to the present, we have seen several academics imprisoned. As a result, other intellectuals who want to write about restrictions on freedoms, or express their opinions about it remain cautious." Assimi Goita took control of Mali through two coups Image: AP Photo/picture alliance However, despite concerns related to freedom of expression, the current regime still has many supporters, said Ulf Laessing. 'I do believe that the predominantly young population still supports the government because they did not want a return to the old elites, who, although elected, were considered corrupt and very close to France.' Fighting corruption while the economy struggles When it comes to corruption, some observers are cautiously optimistic. "In the population survey we conduct annually, respondents say they see an improvement," says Svenja Bode, Svenja Bode, resident representative of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Mali office in Bamako. In 2021, about 90% of respondents said they believed corruption in Mali was very high. This figure has fallen to 58% according to this year's survey which was released in May. Yet regardless of whether or not such perceptions are accurate, it is clear that the government has taken some steps towards reducing corruption — and made sure they were covered by the media, said Bode. Yet fighting corruption is one thing; improving everyday life is another. 'I don't yet see the major economic progress that will ultimately translate into better living conditions,' said Claus‑Dieter König of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Mali recently introduced an unpopular new tax on mobile communications and mobile‑money transfers. Explainer: What the German troop withdrawal from Mali means To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Education initiatives suffer Meanwhile, power shortages remain a serious problem, and the cost of living has risen sharply due to inflation linked in part to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has driven up the cost of materials worldwide. 'Mali imports everything from gasoline to grain, is heavily dependent on the world market and has no access to the coast,' said Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel regional office for the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bamako. At the same time, experts such as Laessing say Western countries, including France, are suspending their work in Mali as Russia becomes more involved. The shift is negatively affecting education initiatives. Laessing said he spoke with Malian participants at an education conference in Tunisia who told him that although there are many initiatives and plans, few are implemented. Reliou Koubakin and Etienne Gatanazi contributed to this article. It was edited by Sarah Hucal.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Malian president lays foundation stone for gold refinery in Bamako
BAMAKO, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Malian President Assimi Goita on Monday laid the foundation stone for a new gold refinery in a suburb of Bamako, the capital of Mali. The cost of the refinery has not been disclosed, but the facility will cover five hectares and is expected to have an annual refining capacity of 200 tonnes of gold once completion in two years. Until now, Mali's gold has been exported for refining and sale to countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, and Switzerland. The plant will be operated by Mali's gold refinery company SOROMA-SA, a joint venture with the Russian company Yadran, in which the Malian state will hold a majority stake of 62 percent. "The establishment of the Mali gold refinery is a reaffirmation of our economic sovereignty. It allows us not only to control but also to improve the traceability of gold production. It also enables us to better capitalize on revenues from gold and its by-products," Goita said. "The new gold refinery will be the only facility to refine gold produced by all mining companies operating in Mali. This will increase both direct and indirect employment opportunities for Malian youth," he added, praising the ever-strengthening cooperation between Mali and the Russian Federation. "I would like to express my deep gratitude to the President of the Republic of Mali and the government for their support of this project, which marks an important step in the development of Mali's economy and that of the wider Sahel region," said Irek Salikhov, board chairman of the Yadran Group. To make the most of its gold production, Mali has undertaken major reforms since 2023, including the adoption of a new mining code allowing for up to 30 percent state participation in mining projects, and a local content law requiring foreign companies to open up 5 percent of their capital to Malian stakeholders. In 2024, Mali officially produced 51 tonnes of gold.
Eyewitness News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Mali cabinet backs bill to extend junta leader's term
BAMAKO - Mali's cabinet has adopted a bill that could pave the way for the ruling junta's leader to remain in power for at least five more years without an election. The measure next heads to the National Transitional Council, which was established by the military government after it seized power in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Last month, General Assimi Goita ordered the dissolution of all political parties in the west African country, despite having pledged last year to return power to civilians. The bill proposes granting "the head of state a renewable five-year mandate from 2025", the council of ministers, appointed by the president, said in a statement Wednesday. In April, a national assembly called by the junta recommended proclaiming Goita president without a vote for a five-year renewable term, which would keep him in power until at least 2030. The same assembly had also recommended the liquidation of the political parties. The ongoing squeeze on Mali's civic space comes against a backdrop of clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the military. Since 2012, Mali has been mired in violence carried out by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as other criminal organisations. Over the past week and a half, military installations in the country have come under a string of attacks.
