In June 2022, the junta promised to organise elections and hand over power to civilians by the end of March 2024, but later postponed elections indefinitely.

Minister of State and Government Spokesperson of Mali, Abdoulaye Maiga, delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 19, 2024 REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga as prime minister after firing Choguel Maiga,

Mali’s junta leader has fired Prime Minister Choguel Maïga and the government, days after he criticized the military regime

Mali's ruling junta on Thursday appointed its spokesperson, Abdoulaye Maiga, as prime minister a day after firing Choguel Maiga who had criticised the administration, state television ORTM reported. C

Mali’s Prime Minister Choguel Maiga has been fired, state television ORTM said on Wednesday of the civilian who criticized the ruling junta’s failure to organize elections within a promised 24-month transition back to democracy.

It follows rare criticism by Maïga of the junta's lack of clarity about a once-promised return to democracy. A decree read on state television by junta leader Col Assimi Goïta said the duties of the prime minister and the members of the government were "terminated".

Mali's junta chief on Wednesday sacked civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga and the government, days after Maiga issued a rare criticism of the military rulers.