Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goïta, has promoted himself to the rank of army general, now officially holding the distinguished title of Colonel Assimi Goïta of the land army. This prestigious rank represents the highest military distinction in Mali and is a significant achievement, as it has only been awarded to two former heads of state in the country’s history.
This promotion comes in the wake of the military government’s adoption of a new constitution over a year ago, which has substantially expanded the powers of both the president and the armed forces, allowing for greater military influence in national governance.
The announcement regarding Goïta’s promotion was made on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, which published a formal statement on the Malian government’s general secretariat website, highlighting the importance of this military advancement.
In conjunction with Goïta’s elevation, five other influential colonels from the Malian military junta were also granted exceptional promotions to the rank of four-star generals, indicating a consolidation of power within the military ranks.
Mali has witnessed considerable political turmoil in recent years, marked by two coups led by Colonel Goïta, one in August 2020 and another in May 2021. These events have further entrenched military control in the nation, shaping the current political landscape.
