General Abdoulaye Maïga is the new transitional Prime Minister of Mali. The presidential decree appointing him was read on November 21, 2024 on ORTM, state television. The day before, Malians had learned in the same way of the dismissal of Choguel Maïga and his entire government. Revocation to which he reacted offensively, overnight, on social networks. After a few days of hesitation, the pace accelerated: the appointment of General Abdoulaye Maïga was expected. Explanations.
General Abdoulaye Maïga already knows the position, since he had taken over as interim Prime Minister when Choguel Maïga had health problems.
Abdoulaye Maïga was until Wednesday evening Minister of Territorial Administration and government spokesperson. He is not one of the five soldiers who led the August 2020 coup, but he quickly gained their trust, gained stature and established himself as a pillar of the transitional regime. Minister of State, Abdoulaye Maïga also rose from the rank of colonel to that of general at the same time as Assimi Goïta and the other putschist soldiers, in October.
For more than four years, Malians have learned to know his martial tone and his “ shocking sentences » sometimes repeated three times, to impress the audience. A style mark to which was added the expression “ to the wise, too bad », recently pronounced at the United Nations, during a diatribe against Algeria.
What objectives, for how long?
His appointment is therefore not a surprise. General Abdoulaye Maïga is now responsible for forming a new transitional government. With which personalities, which missions, and for how long? These are the questions that now arise.
At the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Abdoulaye Maïga was an interlocutor for political parties. He was also responsible for supervising electoral processes. While the announcement of future elections, particularly presidential elections, seemed close, some Malian political actors fear that this new sequence will further postpone the end of the transition and the return to constitutional order.
Offensive defense of Choguel Maïga
As for his predecessor, Choguel Maïga, he seems determined to remain present on the Malian political scene. This is suggested by the message he published on social networks last night, just a few hours after being sacked, to defend himself from accusations of “ treason » uttered against him by supporters of the junta.
A defense which already resembles – or still – an offensive on the part of the former prime minister. To those who accuse him of having served the regime for three and a half years out of opportunism, Choguel Maïga responds that he demonstrated “ patience », « to move things forward in the right direction “. He denounces the “ destabilization mission » of which he would have been the victim, on the part of former allies of his movement, the M5-RFP, of « certain transitional institutions » or « government members ».
« Agents doubles » et « mercenaries »
Choguel Maïga directly targets the man he could have suspected would succeed him, General Abdoulaye Maïga, who would have “ clandestinely ” created a hundred new political parties without his knowledge. Parties formed, according to the former Prime Minister, of “ real enemies of the transition », d’« agents doubles » and “ mercenaries », « put to work ” to demand his resignation.
Choguel Maïga says nothing about his future political ambitions, while many observers believe that his attempt to reposition himself as an opponent is part of the prospect of a candidacy for the next, possible, presidential election.
Justice and political calculation
His virulent and immediate reaction suggests that he intends neither to remain silent nor to keep a low profile. Will the military in power let him do it? More than a dozen political opponents and civil society figures are currently in prison for much less than that. Choguel Maïga is accused by the supporters of the putschists of “ destabilization » and “ treason “. Will he be targeted by legal proceedings? Imprisoned? Placed under house arrest? These questions now relate as much to justice as to the political calculations of the soldiers who run the regime: will they prefer to incarcerate him to silence him, at the risk of contributing to his image as a martyr defender of a misguided transition? Or will they choose to let him follow his agenda, banking on his political demonetization?
David Bache
How might the political rivalry between Abdoulaye Maïga and Choguel Maïga affect the transitional government’s stability?
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today we have the privilege of speaking with [Expert’s Name], a political analyst specializing in West African politics. We’re diving deep into the recent political shifts in Mali, particularly the appointment of General Abdoulaye Maïga as the new transitional Prime Minister. Thank you for joining us today.
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time for Mali, and I’m eager to discuss these developments.
Time.news Editor: So, let’s start with the basics. General Abdoulaye Maïga has just been appointed Prime Minister after the abrupt dismissal of Choguel Maïga. What do you think was the driving force behind this change in leadership?
Expert: The transition in leadership is indeed striking, and it appears to be a strategic move on the part of the junta. Choguel Maïga’s dismissal reflects the ongoing power struggles within the transitional government as factions vie for dominance. Abdoulaye Maïga, while not a part of the original coup, has gained significant trust from the military leadership, placing him in a key position to maintain stability—something the junta desperately needs.
Time.news Editor: That makes sense. Abdoulaye Maïga served as the Minister of Territorial Administration prior to this appointment. How do you think his previous experience will influence his role as Prime Minister?
Expert: His experience in the Ministry of Territorial Administration is vital. He has been integrally involved in supervising electoral processes, which suggests he is familiar with the intricacies of governance and political negotiation. However, his militaristic background and speaking style—characterized by a commanding presence—might overshadow democratic processes. His martial tone and penchant for dramatic rhetoric could either help reinforce his authority or alienate segments of the political landscape, especially as Mali heads toward potential elections.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of elections, there’s mention of anxieties among some political actors regarding the new government potentially delaying the transition back to constitutional order. Do you agree there’s a risk of prolonging the transition?
Expert: Absolutely. The Malian people have been waiting for a return to civilian rule, but the appointment of someone like General Abdoulaye Maïga raises questions about the junta’s genuine commitment to this timeline. His deep ties within the military and his impressive rise through the ranks could lead to a concentration of power rather than a transition to a more inclusive political system. The fear is that the political rhetoric may not materialize into actionable governance.
Time.news Editor: That leads us to Choguel Maïga’s reaction to his dismissal. He seems to be positioning himself as a key player in the ongoing political discourse. What impact could his continued presence have on the new regime?
Expert: Choguel Maïga’s defense suggests he is unwilling to fade quietly into the background, and that could create friction. By positioning himself as a victim of “destabilization” and having made sacrifices for the regime, he may rally supporters around him. This could lead to a divided camp within the transitional government, where factions might emerge, undermining Abdoulaye Maïga’s stability and authority if not managed carefully.
Time.news Editor: Interesting. There were also allegations from Choguel regarding the creation of new political parties, supposedly orchestrated by Abdoulaye Maïga. What does this suggest about the internal dynamics within the transitional government?
Expert: This points to an intricate web of political maneuvering. If these parties were indeed formed without Choguel’s knowledge, it suggests a significant challenge to his influence and a potential attempt by Abdoulaye Maïga to consolidate power and gather support beyond the established institutions. It’s indicative of the paranoia and mistrust permeating the leadership, where alliances are fragile and friendships can quickly turn into rivalries.
Time.news Editor: These are turbulent times for Mali. In your opinion, what should be the priority for General Abdoulaye Maïga in his new role as Prime Minister to maintain stability?
Expert: His primary focus should be on facilitating an inclusive political dialogue that addresses the interests of various factions, including those who may feel disenfranchised by recent changes. Transparency in governance and a clear timeline toward elections are crucial to rebuilding trust among the populace. Additionally, addressing pressing issues such as security and economic challenges will be key to demonstrating that the transitional government can effectively steer Mali forward.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, [Expert’s Name], for these valuable insights. The situation in Mali is indeed complex, and it will be fascinating to see how it unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s important we continue to watch the developments closely as they will have lasting implications for Mali’s future.
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in! Stay connected with Time.news for more updates on global stories and analyses.