MALI’S military-led government has officially dissolved all political parties, a dramatic escalation in its efforts to tighten control over the West African nation and suppress political opposition. The announcement, delivered in a televised statement on Tuesday, confirmed the decision was ratified by Colonel Assimi Goita, the military leader who seized power in coups in 2020 … Read more
PROMINENT Malian opposition leader Mamadou Traoré is due to stand trial on June 12 after being arrested last month for criticising the country’s military rulers. The move comes amid growing political unrest over the junta’s proposed dissolution of political parties and delays in returning to civilian rule. According to a report by Radio France Internationale (RFI), Traoré, leader … Read more
POLITICAL parties in Mali are staging a rare united front against the ruling military junta, accusing it of plotting to dismantle the country’s multiparty democracy. The growing backlash follows the junta’s latest move to repeal the charter governing political parties, a decision that legal analysts see as a prelude to banning them altogether. Charter repealed … Read more
MALI’S ruling military junta on Monday kicked off a two-day national consultation in Bamako aimed at drafting a charter to overhaul the country’s political party system—an initiative boycotted by nearly all of the country’s opposition movements, AFP reported. The talks, convened under the banner of political reform, come amid widespread suspicion that the charter could be used to … Read more
A NATIONAL forum of political actors in Mali has called for junta leader Assimi Goita to be officially named president for a new five-year term, marking a significant escalation in the military-led government’s consolidation of power. The recommendation emerged from a national political dialogue held in the capital, Bamako, on Tuesday, according to a statement seen by Reuters. … Read more
AUTHORITIES in Mali have shut down the local headquarters of Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold in the capital, Bamako, amid allegations of tax non-compliance. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday that the closure was triggered by what officials claim is the miner’s failure to settle outstanding tax obligations. The precise amount allegedly owed has not … Read more
MALI is forecasting a modest recovery in its industrial gold production this year, based on expectations that mining firm Barrick Gold will resume operations following a prolonged standoff with the government. According to a document from the country’s mines ministry, seen by Reuters on Wednesday, industrial gold output is projected to reach 54.7 metric tonnes in 2025. This follows … Read more
THE price of gold has smashed through the $3,000 per ounce barrier for the first time, offering a potential windfall for Africa’s gold-producing nations. As demand for the precious metal surges, major economies across the continent stand to benefit from increased exports and foreign exchange earnings. According to a report by the BBC, gold reached a record $3,004.86 … Read more
MALI’S government has announced it will partially lift a 2022 ban on issuing mining permits, allowing some approvals to resume from March 15, Reuters reported. The West African nation, one of Africa’s top gold producers, initially froze the allocation of mining titles in November 2022, citing the need to reform its regulatory framework. In 2023, Mali introduced … Read more
MALI has suspended artisanal mining permits granted to foreign nationals following two fatal mine collapses that claimed around 60 lives. The directive, issued by President Assimi Goita, was announced on Wednesday by Security and Civil Protection Minister Daoud Aly Mohammedine. Speaking at a press briefing in Bamako, Mohammedine stated that the government is moving to … Read more