Mali: An indefinitely renewable presidential term for Assimi Goïta, against a backdrop of extended transition
In Mali, the political transition takes a new turn. On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Malian authorities adopted a bill establishing a five-year presidential term, renewable without limit, for General Assimi Goïta, president of the transition since the August 2021 coup d’etat.
According to Agence France-Presse, this provision, now regulated by a new to-be-published charter, will come into effect as soon as it is signed by the head of state. This legal framework allows for an indefinite extension of the presidential term, presented as a response to ongoing security challenges and the need for institutional stability.
In recent years, the Malian armed forces have increased their offensives against terrorist armed groups, with results applauded by the authorities. For the regime’s supporters, these advances justify a prolonged stay in power, in order to consolidate security gains and continue development efforts.
But this new direction raises questions. The possibility of an unlimited term could blur the boundaries of a transition that is supposed to be temporary. It also fuels criticism about the risk of authoritarian drift, in a country already weakened by a decade of conflicts and political tensions.
Officially, the government claims to want to ensure the continuity of leadership as long as peace is not fully restored. This stability, according to them, conditions the success of ongoing reforms, particularly in the areas of governance, defense, and economic reconstruction.
It remains to be seen whether this new framework will be seen as a pragmatic transitional measure or as a lasting political lock. The implementation of this law, and its impact on the evolution of institutions, will be closely monitored by regional and international partners.
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