This week, the West African country of Mali experienced its second coup in the last nine months. Transitional Vice President Col. Assimi Goita seized power from Transitional President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, according to CNN and BBC.
- Goita led a coup against the previous president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta last August, said BBC.
- The recent power grab has “jeopardized” Mali’s democratic transition, reported Reuters.
The Economic Community of West African States, of which Mali is a member, has begun negotiations with coup leaders, said Reuters and BBC. International authorities have issued their condemnation, reported The Washington Post.
August 2020: The first coup
On Aug. 18, Goita led military forces to seize power from the previous President Keïta following weeks of anti-Keïta protests, reports BBC and The Washington Post. The public and opposition parties widely welcomed the coup due to Keïta’s weak leadership and tolerance for corruption, reported BBC.
- ECOWAS negotiated for weeks with coup leaders before reaching an agreement for a transitional government, said BBC.
The agreement acknowledged the military’s influence by appointing Goita as the transitional vice president, according to CNN. Still, the transition remained civilian-led, requiring elections within 18 months, reported BBC.
May 2021: The second coup
According to the BBC, Goita accused N’Daw and Ouane of failing their duties and sabotaging the democratic transition, prompting him to seize power.
- However, according to CNN informants, N’Daw and Ouane announced their plans for the new cabinet on Monday without Goita’s input. These plans did not include two key colonels, both of whom aided in the August coup and the coup this week, said The Washington Post.
Military forces seized and detained N’Daw and Ouane Monday evening, BBC reported. The leaders were held for three days, reported The Washington Post. Wednesday, both leaders resigned from their positions and were freed Thursday morning, according to Reuters.
- Goita said new elections will take place in March 2022, reported The Washington Post.
What’s different with this second coup?
The most recent coup differs from last fall in three key ways:
- Unlike last August, Goita currently does not have wide public support for his power grab, said BBC. Regional and international trust in Goita has “shattered,” BBC reported.
- The international community has condemned the recent coup, reported The Washington Post.
- France, Mali’s former colonial ruler and key military ally, has threatened economic and military sanctions against the country, CNN said.
Goita has repeatedly reaffirmed his intention of becoming president, reported Reuters. This makes negotiations increasingly difficult and high stakes. No resolution has come, said Reuters.