Latest news with #Goïta
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mali begins building Russian-backed gold refinery
Mali's military junta has started building the West African state's first-ever gold refinery in partnership with a Russian conglomerate, the Yadran Group. The project would embody Mali's assertion of its "economic sovereignty", and ensure the nation benefited from its mineral wealth, military leader Gen Assimi Goïta said. He has strengthened military and economic ties with Russia since seizing power in a coup in 2021, while reducing relations with former colonial power France and other Western nations. This reflects a broader trend in the region, with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger also pivoting towards Russia after the overthrow of civilian leaders. Western firms have since been facing a tough time - the latest example being Mali's decision to put a huge gold mine, run by Canadian giant Barrick, into administration, effectively bringing it under state control. On Monday, Gen Goïta - along with Yadran Group head Irek Salikhov - attended a ceremony for the construction of the refinery, which will have a 200-tonne capacity, in Senou, not far from the capital, Bamako. Mali would having a majority stake in the refinery, and Yadran Group a minority share. Mr Salikhov hailed the plant as a "win-win" for both nations, saying the aim was to turn the refinery into "a regional centre for processing gold extracted not only in Mali, but also in neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso". No date has been announced for its completion, but Gen Goita said: "It's a long-awaited dream of the Malian people, and today it's becoming a reality." The plant would enable Mali to "refine all the gold mined on its soil, ending decades of crude export to foreign refineries", he added. Mali is Africa's second-biggest producer of gold, but many of its people remain poor 65 years after independence. Why Burkina Faso's junta leader has captured hearts and minds around the world How a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and France Why France faces so much anger in West Africa Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Junta-led Mali begins construction of gold refinery in partnership with Russia
Mali has begun building a new gold refinery backed by Russia, a move its military-led government says will help the country gain greater control over its natural resources. Mali is constructing a new gold refinery supported by Russian investment to enhance control over its natural resources. The refinery will be majority owned by the Malian government with a 38% stake held by Russian firm Yadran. This initiative aligns with regional efforts to mandate domestic processing of gold for economic benefits. Mali has begun building a new gold refinery backed by Russia, a move its military-led government says will help the country gain greater control over its natural resources. The newly formed refinery will be 62% owned by the Malian government, with Russian firm Yadran holding the remaining 38% stake. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, interim President Colonel Assimi Goïta said the facility is part of broader efforts to require all mining companies to refine gold domestically under a revised mining code, though no timeline has been set for enforcement, according to Reuters. The refinery marks a shift across the Sahel region, where countries like Guinea, Niger, and Burkina Faso have also updated mining laws to mandate local processing, aiming to add value to exports and retain more revenue. Upgrade to global standard Since 1980, Mali's gold has been exported unprocessed to countries like the UAE, South Africa, and Switzerland, costing the country valuable income that could support economic development, according to Goïta. Despite the country's status as Africa's second-largest gold producer, it lacks an internationally certified refinery. The country's two existing facilities have been unable to meet the standards required by global bodies like the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), forcing miners to refine their gold abroad. The new refinery will produce gold with a purity of 99.5%, adhering to international certification standards. Constructed on a five-hectare site near Bamako's international airport, the refinery will have the capacity to process up to 200 metric tons of gold annually, a significant leap from Mali's current processing capacity of about 50 tons. The refinery is part of Goïta's broader mining reforms since coming to power in 2021 and distancing Mali from Western allies. Goïta added that the refinery will improve gold traceability and help curb the billions lost to smuggling, a challenge many African nations face in the absence of certified refineries and tracking systems. Since seizing power in 2020, Mali's military government has vowed to overhaul the mining sector to ensure the state captures a larger share of gold revenues. These reforms are projected to boost annual government income by about $950 million, representing nearly 20% of the national budget.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Mali: Dissolution Of Political Parties A Step In The Wrong Direction, Warn UN Experts
GENEVA (22 May 2025) – The signature of a decree on 13 May 2025 dissolving all political parties and 'organisations of a political nature' and the promulgation of legislation repealing previous laws on political parties sends an extremely negative signal about Mali's commitment to human rights, a group of independent human rights experts* warned today. 'These laws must be immediately repealed,' the experts said. 'The adoption of these laws is a step in the wrong direction for the country. It is not too late for President Goïta to halt this downward spiral and change course.' On 13 May 2025, the Transitional President, General Assimi Goita, issued a decree dissolving all political parties and 'organisations of a political nature' and signed into law a repeal of previous laws governing and protecting political parties. 'This is just the latest step in the erosion and systematic clampdown on an already shrinking civic space and the rule of law in the country, and comes against a backdrop of increasing restrictions, attacks, and stigmatising statements against critics and dissenting voices, including civil society organisations, human rights defenders and media professionals,' the experts said. 'We are shocked that these laws were adopted despite the call we made two weeks ago and the assurances given by the Government of Mali that the repeal of existing laws did not call into question the existence of political parties,' they said. The experts warned that the 13 May decree signals a move by Malian authorities to outlaw and criminalise the existence and activities of political parties, as well as any organisations they label as 'political' and anyone who supports them, shows sympathy to them or is even remotely associated with them. 'Its vague and broad phrasing opens the door to arbitrary arrests and detentions, judicial harassment, and prosecution of people merely exercising their rights, including the right to freedom of association' they said. The experts stressed that despite a stated intent to "stop the proliferation of political parties", the new legislation appears aimed at fostering a climate of fear, intimidating, silencing and punishing critics, dissenting voices or anyone involved in activities deemed to be unwelcome by Malian transitional authorities. 'These laws risk having a chilling effect on the Malian society as a whole,' they said. 'The Malian transitional authorities should engage in peaceful and truly inclusive dialogue with all actors involved in legal reform processes instead of resorting to cracking down on critics and dissenting voices,' the experts said. They urged the international community to redouble its efforts to support respect for, protection and promotion of all human rights for all in Mali. The experts reiterated their readiness to assist the Government of Mali in its efforts to revise its legislation on political parties and political activities to ensure compliance with international human rights norms and standards. Note
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UN's Türk Criticises ‘Draconian' Decree Limiting Dissent In Mali
16 May 2025 Volker Türk on Friday called the decree 'draconian' and urged Mali's Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, to reverse the decree issued earlier this week. Signed on 13 May, the decree dissolves all political parties and 'organizations of a political nature' nationwide. It was preceded by the repeal of legislation that had safeguarded political participation. ' Any restrictions of political participation must be consistent with Mali's international human rights law obligations,' High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk said. He urged the transitional authorities to release those who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds and to fully restore political rights in the country. Erosion of civic space The clampdown comes amid a broader erosion of civic space in Mali since the military seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021. According to media reports, the government's move was read out on state television on Tuesday and cited the need to curb the 'proliferation' of political parties. At least three opposition members were reportedly arrested following protests against the decree, with their whereabouts currently unknown – part of what Mr. Türk described as a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances dating back to at least 2021. A group of UN independent rights experts also condemned the developments in a separate statement last week, warning that the decree and accompanying legislation represent 'a direct violation of basic human rights.' Elections in question The experts – who are independent of the UN and serve in their personal capacity – criticised the transitional authorities for using the 2021 national consultations, the Assises Nationales de la Refondation and April 2025 consultation on review of the Charter of Political Parties, as justification for authoritarian measures. Several political parties boycotted those consultations, citing fears they were being used as a pretext to dismantle political opposition. Among the recommendations emerging from those meetings, the Council of Ministers reportedly discussed naming Gen. Goïta as president for a renewable five-year term – without holding elections. The UN has urged the transitional authorities to refrain from extending the transition period again and to publish an electoral timetable without delay. High Commissioner Türk recalled Gen. Goïta's instructions to the Cabinet of Ministers in November 2024 to create conditions for 'transparent and peaceful elections,' a promise that now appears increasingly hollow. Spiralling security situation Beyond political repression, Mali is grappling with worsening security conditions following the closure of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, at the end of 2023. According to credible information received by the UN rights office, OHCHR, violations and abuses increased by nearly 120 per cent between 2023 and 2024. The withdrawal of French forces and the European Union Training Mission in Mali in 2022 also contributed to the deteriorating security situation across the West African landlocked country. Civilians across the country continue to face deadly attacks – including killings, abduction, and sexual and gender-based violence – by extremist groups including Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State - Sahel Province. Government forces, allegedly accompanied by foreign military personnel widely referred to either as 'Africa Corps' or 'Wagner,' have also been accused of serious abuses. Last month, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in the southwestern Kayes region after being detained by Malian forces and foreign partners. Bring perpetrators to justice Mr. Türk underscored the need to ensure accountability for rights violations and abuses. The multiple investigations announced by the Malian authorities into these killings must be prompt, impartial and meet international standards, he said, 'with a view to ensuring victims' rights to truth, justice and reparations.'
Daily Maverick
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Mali's transition at risk as political class fights back against dissolution of parties
Political party bans by military authorities in Burkina Faso and Niger have met little resistance, but in Mali they ignited defiance. On 13 May 2025, Mali's military transitional authority decreed the dissolution of political parties. Although most of the country's nearly 300 parties were not functional, this is a major setback for Mali's prospects of remaining a multiparty democracy. It is also a notable turning point in the transition that started five years ago, when a double military coup led by Mali's current leader Assimi Goïta toppled the government. By closing down the democratic space, the military authorities risk worsening insecurity in the country, which already faces persistent jihadism and a recurrent rebellion in the north. However, the country's political parties are fighting back. Whether this will make a difference in a region dominated by juntas remains to be seen. The decision follows April's national 'consultations' aimed at revising the Charter of Political Parties – a process that most of the political class boycotted. The consultations recommended not only that political parties be dissolved, but a revision of the country's Transition Charter to give Goïta the presidency for a renewable five-year term beginning in 2025. That last recommendation was not among the subjects officially addressed during the consultations. However, participants emphasised the need for Mali to align its governance framework with Niger and Burkina Faso, its allies in the Alliance of Sahel States Confederation. All three central Sahel countries are governed by military regimes, and have strengthened ties since their January withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States. Niger's General Abdourahamane Tchiani was sworn in as president for a renewable five-year term on 26 March, in line with recommendations made during national meetings in February. The Nigerien authorities also closed down political parties, acting on the outcomes of these meetings. Similarly, in Burkina Faso, consultations led to Captain Ibrahim Traoré being declared president of the country for a five-year term. Political party activities were suspended soon after the September 2022 coup, a decision that remains in effect. In an international environment where the multilateralism system is in crisis and the levers for democratic pressure are weakened, the banning of political parties has met little resistance in Burkina Faso and Niger. In Mali however, the political class is standing up to the authorities. When Mali's authorities adopted a bill on 30 April repealing laws governing political parties and the opposition, political parties held street protests against the bill. Then on 3 and 4 May, they rallied hundreds of supporters in the capital Bamako, demanding a return to constitutional order by 31 December. The gatherings were disrupted by groups claiming to support the government, and by police who cited the risk of clashes breaking out. Political parties again called for protests on 9 May, but on 7 May the authorities suspended all their activities and those of associations 'until further notice' – and so the planned demonstrations were postponed. This public defiance is the first of its kind since Mali's military authorities took hold in August 2020. While it may not significantly shift the balance of power away from the current leadership, the political class is clearly positioning itself as a force that cannot be ignored in shaping the transition. The protests aimed to defend the existence of political parties. But perhaps more profoundly, they showed a determination to protect the democratic gains secured through bloodshed in the 1991 March Revolution that ended 23 years of dictatorship under Moussa Traoré. Stirring this potent symbol in Mali's collective political consciousness could unite the elders who fought against Traoré's dictatorship with young people who grew up under democracy. That could mobilise an opposition movement extending beyond the political class, fuelling public protests and heightening concerns over Mali's democratic transition. This is all the more likely given that after five years of governance, the population is divided on the performance of the military authorities – who have not resolved the country's many economic and social challenges. Since 2023, persistent power outages have further weakened industrial output and disrupted informal economic activities, which serve as the primary source of income for many families. Costly spending on military equipment and security needs also drains the country's economy. To deal with its financial troubles, government measures include widely unpopular new taxes on telephone calls and mobile money transfers. These challenges fuel public discontent and could revive popular interest in political parties. In such a context, repressive measures by the authorities could backfire, strengthening support for the very opposition parties they aim to neutralise. Political instability would further complicate the government's challenges. Rather than restricting the political space, it should consider dialogue with all political forces. This is in line with the government's intention, from the outset, to draw up a new legislative framework that better organises and regulates the political sector. Aligned with this objective, the authorities should involve all political actors in a dialogue process that drafts a new Charter of Political Parties and produces an electoral agenda for ending the transition. With Mali's membership of the African Union (AU) suspended following the coups, the AU's potential role in resolving the tensions is not straightforward. Nevertheless, diplomatic solutions must be found. For example, article 25, paragraph 3 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance gives the AU a responsibility to help any nation transition towards restoring democracy. This enables the continental body to offer support to Malian authorities and the political class in facilitating dialogue or appointing a facilitator acceptable to all parties. The AU could leverage its Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions, a platform developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme to promote inclusive dialogue among key players and provide technical and financial assistance. DM
