Assimi Goita - The African Mirror

Mar

2024

Putin discusses security cooperation with West and Central African leaders

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin discussed security and economic cooperation with Mali's junta leader Assimi Goita by phone, both countries said, a day after Putin held a similar call with the junta leader in neighbouring Niger. "We discussed bilateral issues, particularly the security and economic areas," Goita wrote on X. "We agreed to cooperate further in the fight against terrorism." The Kremlin confirmed the call and said the two leaders agreed to forge closer ties. Mali has in recent years become one of Russia's closest African allies, with the Wagner Group mercenary force deploying there to fight jihadist insurgencies rebels in…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Putin talks security with Malian leader in third phone call in two months

NEWS

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin discussed trade and security with Mali's leader in their third phone conversation in less than two months, the Kremlin said. The frequency of Putin's contacts with Mali's interim president Assimi Goita underlines Moscow's strong interest in building its influence in the coup-prone Sahel region of West Africa where it is cultivating strong security ties at the expense of France and the United States. The two leaders discussed their "mutual commitment to further strengthening trade and economic ties, security cooperation and the fight against terrorism", the Kremlin said in a statement. Goita echoed this in a post on social media and…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Mali leader unharmed in knife attack

NEWS

TIEMOKO DIALLO and PAUL LORGERIE MALI’S interim President Assimi Goita, a special forces colonel who orchestrated two coups in the last year, said he escaped unharmed after an assailant attempted to stab him during prayers at a mosque in the capital Bamako. The president's office earlier said the attacker was overpowered by security officers, and investigations into the incident were ongoing. Mali, the theatre of French-supported operations against al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked insurgents for a decade, was thrown into political turmoil after a military junta led by Goita toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020. Goita served as vice-president…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Mali coup leader sworn in as president

NEWS

ASSIMI Goita, the Malian colonel who has overthrown two presidents in the past nine months, said he would oversee a transition toward democratic elections as he was sworn in as interim president. Goita, a 38-year-old special forces commander, had already been declared president by the constitutional court last month after ousting Bah Ndaw, but was formally sworn in on Monday during a ceremony in the capital Bamako. He is under pressure from regional and international powers to ensure elections go ahead next February as scheduled, who worry the political upheaval could jeopardise gains made against Islamist insurgents based in the…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

ECOWAS suspends Mali over coup

NEWS

PAUL LORGERIE and TIEMOKO DIALLO WEST African regional bloc ECOWAS has suspended Mali's membership in response to last week's coup and said authorities must stick to a timetable for a return to democracy, but stopped short of imposing new sanctions. Leaders of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States held an emergency summit in Ghana's capital Accra to agree on a response to the Malian military's ouster of a president and prime minister for the second time in nine months. Mali's neighbours and international powers fear the latest revolt will jeopardise a commitment to hold a presidential election next…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Mali coup leaders free former prime minister, generals

NEWS

MALI’S former prime minister Boubou Cisse and other officials and military personnel detained during the August coup have been released, according to a statement by the vice president, Colonel Assimi Goita. Although a transitional government has been appointed after the August 18 coup, Goita, who led the coup, remained in the government as vice president in charge of security and defence issues. The officials' release was one of the demands of international powers including the West African regional bloc, which this week lifted economic sanctions against Mali after the appointment of the transitional government. The senior figures had been held…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Mali announces new government following August coup

NEWS

MALI has announced a new government, with some of the top posts going to military officials following a coup on August 18 that deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The ministries of defence, territorial administration, security and national reconciliation will be headed by military personnel, as Mali begins an 18-month transition back to civilian rule, the presidency said in an announcement read out on state television. Civilians will hold 21 other posts. It is not rare for military personnel to hold government posts in Mali, and they did so also under Keita, but the issue has become more sensitive since the coup…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

West African bloc may lift Mali sanctions soon, says envoy

NEWS

TIEMOKO DIALLO WEST African leaders may lift painful economic sanctions against Mali once an interim president is inaugurated on Friday in the wake of the August 18 military coup, the bloc's envoy said, praising the junta's leadership. The comments suggest the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could accept the candidates picked this week to lead the transition of power, although they do not have the fully civilian background the bloc had demanded. The easing of sanctions would be a relief for Mali, whose imports have slumped 30% since its neighbours closed borders and halted financial flows after…