More than 70 killed in Mali attack: What happened, why it matters
Al JazeeraSep 22
Mali: Prime Minister Fired After Junta Criticism
Above: Mali's Prime Minister Choguel Maiga attends an interview with AFP on Sept. 26, 2021 in New York. Image copyright: Kena Betancur/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
After publicly criticizing Mali's ruling military junta on Nov. 16 for not conducting elections within the promised 24-month transition to democracy, Prime Minister (PM) Choguel Kokalla Maiga was fired by the military leadership on Wednesday.
While Maiga and his supporters claimed he was being excluded from transition talks, others held demonstrations calling for his resignation. The president of the transition, Gel Assimi Goïta, removed the PM, with the Collective of Military Defense accusing him of treason.
The Spin
Narrative A
Maiga's sacking shows the junta is dangerously consolidating power. As the Malian people face a 90% poverty rate and collapsing social services and infrastructure, such a move only increases the chances of social instability and violence. This point in Malian history, especially as Russia grows its influence in the region, requires public faith in government — not a rogue military dictatorship.
Narrative B
It's important to remember where the bulk of Mali's troubles come from. The US and its Western partners have destabilized Mali with failed counterterrorism policies, training coup leaders, and ineffective UN missions. Violence has surged exponentially since 2002, while interventions deepened mistrust, ignored local grievances, undermined sovereignty, and left civilians increasingly vulnerable.