Mali's junta carried out a partial reshuffle of the government on Saturday, a day after announcing the end of the UN peace mission in the country and eight days after a referendum in favour of the draft new Constitution. Though strategic posts remained occupied by the same people, government was significantly reshuffled, with 16 appointments, 13 ministers and three swaps. A new member of the military joins the government, Colonel Assa Badiallo Touré, at the Ministry of Health and Social Development. Critics of the draft describe it as tailor-made to keep the junta in power beyond the presidential elections scheduled for February 2024, despite initial commitments. The Constitutional reform provides amnesty for the perpetrators of coups d'état prior to its promulgation, and is fuelling persistent speculation about a possible presidential candidacy for Colonel Assimi Goïta.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 02, 2023 08:39 UTC