The military rulers had initially pledged to organize elections in February but indefinitely postponed them citing technical reasons.
Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga has been fired, according to state television ORTM.
Maiga had been openly criticising the ruling junta for failing to hold elections within the promised 24-month transition period following the 2020 and 2021 coups, Reuters reports.
The military rulers had initially pledged to organize elections in February but indefinitely postponed them citing technical reasons.
He noted that he found out about the junta’s decision from the media.
Maiga, a civilian leader, expressed frustration over the lack of discussion within the government regarding the election postponement.
“It’s all happening in total secrecy, without the prime minister’s knowledge,” Maiga told reporters on Saturday.
Maiga was also the leader of the M5-RFP opposition coalition that spearheaded protests against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita before his overthrow.
The Mail military leaders took over power in different coups between 2020 and 2021.
The junta had promised to hold elections in February but postponed the vote indefinitely for technical reasons.
Before the most recent development, Maiga had fervently defended Mali’s junta even when West African neighbours and international allies criticised its military cooperation with Russian mercenaries and repeated election delays.
Under the law, Maiga’s successor would have to form a new government in consultation with interim President Assimi Goïta.
