The Background of the Coup

After months of social unrest, thousands of Malians celebrate both Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse’s ousting on the 19th August 2020. The protests were spearheaded by the highly influential Imam Mahmoud Dicko on the streets of Mali’s capital- Bamako.

The military junta responsible for the coup d’état held President Keita at gunpoint demanding he resign on national TV before detaining him in a rumoured Kati army base, 15km from Bamako.

This coup was deemed necessary by many within Mali due to the deteriorating economy, widespread corruption and the government’s inability to fight the insurgency of jihadists in the North. Despite the coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita’s reassurance of stability by promising elections and seeking for a transitional government, this ‘wind of change’ has been rejected internationally, especially by Mali’s neighbouring countries.

The Economic and Political Considerations

After Mali was suspended from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the bloc eventually met with the junta leaders on the 22nd August to discuss Mali’s future position in the West African Community. The 20 minutes meeting ended early and it was expected that Mali would be faced with tough responses. Leaders of neighbouring countries are equally facing protests in the run-up to their elections and they certainly would like to prevent a similar takeover. This is particularly applicable in the case of Ivory Coasts’ president Alassane Ouattara, as he is seeking a third term in a two-term limit constitution, and opposition are already demanding his withdrawal of candidacy. Malian leaders will need to navigate Mali through this political arena so that it will not suffer from any potential economic disaster.

Another factor to consider would be Mali’s National Security. Weapons from the Libyan war have infiltrated Western Africa, fuelling the jihadists who in 2012 captured several towns. The towns were not recaptured until Mali’s former colonist France intervened. Presently, French troops and Western powers are still trying to strengthen security in the region constantly threatened by Islamist conflicts. Although this coup shows that Mali’s military can independently overthrow the governmental system, faced with pressing terrorist activities, Mali will need to rely on foreign powers.

The Future of Mali

This coup d’état may be considered as a Malian victory but it could also spiral out of control if effective planning isn’t put in place swiftly. It isn’t the first time Mali has experienced a coup, first in 1968, then in 1991 and most recently in 2012 and it may not be the last.

by Ke Thie Kiew

The Mali Coup