Overview

• The National Transitional Council unanimously approved a charter granting General Assimi Goita a five-year presidential term renewable indefinitely without an election.
• The measure requires only Goita’s signature to take effect and nullifies his pledge to return the country to civilian rule by March 2024.
• In May, the junta dissolved all political parties and banned meetings of civic groups to eliminate organized opposition.
• Mali joined its junta-led neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger in forming the Alliance of Sahel States and announced plans for a 5,000-strong joint military force.
• Jihadist violence persists across the Sahel, and Mali’s military relies on Russia-backed mercenaries to carry out counterinsurgency operations.