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Mali’s military leader Gen Assimi Go\u00efta has been granted a five-year presidential term by the transitional parliament, which is renewable without elections.<\/p>\n
The junta leader, who has seized power twice, had promised the return of democracy last year, but it never materialised.<\/p>\n
The bill granting his new mandate said it could be renewed “as many times as necessary” and until Mali was “pacified”.<\/p>\n
It clears Gen Go\u00efta to lead the West African country until at least 2030, with many fearing the move could lead to the repression of the opposition or dissenting opinions.<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old military leader was named transitional president after his last coup in 2021.<\/p>\n
At the time he promised to hold elections the following year – but has since reneged, in a blow to efforts to restore multi-party rule.<\/p>\n
The transitional bill was on Thursday unanimously approved by 131 members of the National Transitional Council, which is composed of 147 legislators.<\/p>\n
The council had already adopted the measure in April<\/a>.<\/p>\n The president of the legislative body, Malick Diaw, called the development “a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali”.<\/p>\n “The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will,” he said.<\/p>\n The bill allows the transitional president, government and legislative members to stand in presidential and general elections.<\/p>\n