Mali quickly appoints new Prime Minister in hope of easing tense political climate

Mali’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Abdoulaye Maïga

Barely 48 hours after sacking the Prime Minister and dissolving his cabinet, the military government, through the secretary general of the presidency, Alfouseyni Diawara, announced the composition of a new government led by a new Prime Minister, Abdoulaye Maïga, who previously served as the military junta’s spokesman and interim Prime Minister in 2022.

Observers say his appointment may signal an attempt to tighten control and manage dissent both domestically and abroad.

The ministers who will work with Maïga in his new government were also announced by the secretary general of the presidency,

Among the new appointments, some unknown faces in the country’s political circles make their entry. One of them is Boubacar Diane, who assumes the position of minister of energy and water. There is also Bakary Traoré, who is appointed minister of reconstruction, while some others retained their position, like Abdoulaye Diop, who keeps the foreign affairs portfolio, and Lieutenant General Ismaël Wague who remains the Minister of Reconciliation, Peace and National Cohesion.

An article introducing the new Prime Minister says he comes with “experience and rigor in a decisive moment in Mali’s political transition.”

At 43, it says, “he stands out for his exceptional career, combining solid military training, diplomatic expertise and a deep commitment to security and governance.”

Maïga began his career in the gendarmerie from where he embarked on an academic career, studying diplomacy and international law in Algiers. He also took specialisation courses in defence policy and international security in Paris and Lyon. While in France, he embarked on studies in human rights and humanitarian law in Évry, and began a doctorate in business law.

Far from being an isolated figure, General Maïga has also acquired valuable international experience. His work within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly in the prevention of terrorism, as well as his role as a police officer in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, means he is familiar with security challenges on a regional and global scale.

Maïga also served within the African Union, strengthening his network and understanding of the dynamics of peace and stability in Africa. As Minister of Territorial Administration, Abdoulaye Maïga played a central role in the preparation of electoral files crucial for the holding of elections and the return to constitutional order in Mali.

Sources say his appointment was inspired by the military government’s belief that his ability to engage with political parties and coordinate activities in a tense political climate would be invaluable.

Those who have worked with him say his commitment to concrete action and the rapid resolution of problems is a major asset, both for the president of the transition, Colonel Assimi Goïta, and for the Malian population, who hopes to find a replacement for Kokalla Maïga that would inspire widespread confidence in the transiti9n government.