The move clears the path to leading Mali until at least 2030, despite pledging to return to civilian control.
Mali military authorities have granted coup leader Assimi Gaita the five-year presidential duties.
The country’s transition parliament approved the move on Thursday, clearing up the path for Gaita to lead Mali until at least 2030.
“This is a huge step forward in rebuilding Mali,” Marick Deer, chairman of the National Interim Council (NTC), told AFP news agency after the bill was voted.
“The adoption of this text follows a popular will.”
However, critics say this is the latest in a set of restrictions on freedom imposed by the military leaders of Mali.
Goita first came to power in 2020 and then in 2021 after staging two coups in Mali. Initially, the military government promised to return to civilian control in March 2024.
According to the AFP and Mali’s national L’Essor website, Thursday’s bill was unanimously supported by 131 members present at the NTC.
The NTC, which consists of 147 lawmakers, had already adopted the measure in April, but the Council of Ministers adopted it last month. Now, Gaita’s own approval is required.
The transition was fixed at five years, reporting the AFP, “as many times as necessary, until a national settlement is needed through the promulgation of this charter,” and cited the bill.
The previous ban has also been lifted, allowing interim presidents, government and legislative members to take presidency and general elections, the text says.
Critics raised concerns about the revised Transition Charter, as they questioned the government’s political neutrality and all references to political parties were removed.
In May, the military government announced the dissolution of all political parties and organizations and the ban on meetings.
Continuing Mali’s civil space is in the background of the screams of authorities to help the country unite behind the military.
Violence from armed groups
When Goita was officially sworn as interim president in June 2021, he insisted on Mali’s commitment to combating “jihadist” violence, initially pledging a return to civilian rule.
However, the military ultimately made a promise to give power to civilians elected by voluntary deadlines.
Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by violence committed by al-Qaeda, ISIL and by armed groups affiliated with criminal organizations. The attacks have been intensifying over the past few weeks.
However, the African Corps Mali Army, tasked with tracking down armed fighters, and its Russian mercenary allies, are regularly accused of infringing their own rights against civilians.
Mali and its leading neighbours, Burkina Faso and Niger, have collaborated to create their own alliance, the Sahel State (AES), and have announced the creation of a powerful unit of 5,000 joint forces for joint military operations.
All three Sahel countries have turned their backs on France, a shared former colony, in favor of stronger relations with Russia and other partners.
Goita has also withdrawn Mali from regional group Ekowas on demand that Mali restore democratic rule, with Burkina Faso and Niger following.
The coup that Gaita came to power overcame then-President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita.
However, since he came to power, the armed attacks continued and even strengthened.
