Mali has formally passed a bill amending the Transitional Agreement that would allow President Assimi Goita to serve renewable five-year terms starting in 2025. The move coincides with similar political developments among member states of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSA), which includes Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
The bill was approved by the Malian Council of Ministers on Wednesday and follows proposals made during a national dialogue in December 2021. According to an official government statement, that conference emphasized the need to prioritize political and institutional reforms before holding elections.
As part of this process, the state adopted a new constitution through a national referendum in June 2023. The government noted that the country’s ongoing political transition and efforts to assert full sovereignty face significant internal and external challenges, some of which it attributes to foreign influence.
In response to shared security and governance challenges, Mali joined Burkina Faso and Niger to form the Confederation of Sahel States on 6 July 2024. This followed the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States under the Liptako-Gourma Charter on 16 September 2023.
Despite recent developments, including the expansion of state authority in much of Mali and progress in combating terrorism and extremism, the government warns that threats to national stability and regional peace remain.
The statement stressed that Mali, like its AES partners, must continue the transition process to ensure lasting peace and security.
Previously, the government had set a 24-month transition period starting on 6 June 2022, and presidential elections were scheduled for February 2024. However, authorities later announced a delay to the election schedule, citing technical difficulties.