Mali’s junta chief has granted himself a five-year presidential mandate, renewable “as many times as necessary” and without election, in a law made public Thursday.

General Assimi Goita’s approval of the measure had been widely expected for several days, and comes after the country’s military-appointed legislative body passed the bill last week.

The law, which was leaked to the public after being signed by Goita Tuesday, allows him to lead the West African country until at least 2030, despite the military government’s initial pledge to return to civilian rule in March 2024.

It is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedoms by Mali’s military leadership to consolidate its power in the jihadist-hit Sahelian nation.
The country’s cabinet, the Council of Ministers, had already adopted the measure last month.

Under the law Goita will be able to serve “as head of state for a term of five (05) years, renewable as many times as necessary, until the country is pacified”.

When Goita took power, he insisted on Mali’s commitment to the fight against jihadist violence and initially pledged a return to civilian rule.

He was even celebrated in some quarters as a hero who might bring salvation to his troubled West African nation.

But he ultimately failed to make good on his promise to cede power to elected civilians, which was to occur by March 2024.

Earlier this year, a junta-led national consultation recommended proclaiming Goita president without a vote for the five-year renewable term.

The same assembly — boycotted by most political groups — also recommended the dissolution of political parties and tougher rules for their creation.

Subsequently, the junta announced in May the dissolution of all political parties and organisations, as well as a ban on meetings.

The ongoing squeeze on Mali’s civic space comes against a backdrop of clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the military.