Sunday, June 28, 2026

Assimi Goita

May 4, 2026

Mali military leader assumes role of defence minister

The former defence minister, Sadio Camara, was killed in coordinated terrorist attacks on April 25.

Malian President Assimi Goita
April 29, 2026

Mali leader says situation under control after terrorist attacks

The leader of Mali’s military government, Assimi Goïta, has promised to neutralise and apprehend the attackers of the Saturday coordinated attacks.

Col. Assimi Goita
November 4, 2025

Jihadists’ fuel blockade poses biggest threat yet to Mali’s military junta

JNIM has also advanced into southern Mali for the first time while expanding operations in the west

July 4, 2025

Mali military leader Assimi Goïta granted five-year term in power

The development would see Mr Goita, who has seized power twice in the Western African country, remain in office without elections until at least 2030.

Malian President Assimi Goita
August 15, 2023

Mali’s president confirms call with Putin about Niger coup

Mr Putin has called for a return to constitutional order in Niger, while Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin welcomed the coup.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mali’s military leader Assimi Goita
August 11, 2022

Putin moves to support embattled Malian junta head 

The West African country has deepened its Soviet-era ties to Russia as its relationship soured this year with its long-time ally and former colonial ruler, France.

Assimi Goita and Russian President Vladimir Putin
May 31, 2021

ECOWAS suspends Mali as military junta ignores Jonathan-led mediation

Amid mediation efforts by ECOWAS envoy Goodluck Jonathan, a Malian court on Friday declared coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita as president.

Jonathan, Ndaw, Ouane, Goita
May 25, 2021

Malian soldiers boot out transition government in another coup

The country’s leadership has been hanging in the balance since the toppling of elected president, Ibrahim Kaita last August over corruption and incompetence in handling insurgency.