Mali’s transitional President, Colonel Assimi Goita, may soon extend his hold on power until at least 2030, without facing a single national election.

This follows the Malian Council of Ministers’ approval on Wednesday of a draft law that formalizes Goita’s continued rule well beyond the original transition timeline. The proposed law, which now awaits deliberation and approval by the National Transitional Council (NTC), allows Goita’s mandate to be extended and made renewable, essentially legitimizing his leadership for the foreseeable future without electoral endorsement.

Colonel Goita seized power in a military coup in August 2020, overthrowing then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita amid mass protests and political instability. Less than a year later, he led another coup in May 2021 to consolidate his control, ousting the transitional civilian leadership. Since then, he has served as the head of Mali’s military-led transitional government, promising a return to civilian rule by 2024, a deadline that has now lapsed without any progress toward democratic elections.

The new law represents a sharp pivot from earlier pledges made to regional and international stakeholders, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which had pressured the junta to commit to a civilian-led transition. However, amid growing tensions with Western nations and shifting alliances toward Russia, the Goita-led government has increasingly pursued a path of political self-determination.

A senior government official familiar with the matter told local media that “security concerns, logistical limitations, and national cohesion” are reasons behind the proposed delay in elections, suggesting the country is still not ready for a democratic transition.

The move has sparked concern among opposition leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organizations who warn of creeping authoritarianism under the guise of national stability. “What we are witnessing is a full consolidation of military power without accountability,” said Fatoumata Sissoko, a political analyst based in Bamako. “This sets a dangerous precedent not just for Mali, but for the entire Sahel.”

International reaction remains muted for now, though observers expect renewed scrutiny if the law is passed by the NTC. ECOWAS and the African Union have not yet issued formal responses, but diplomatic sources suggest behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to urge a return to constitutional governance.

Goita’s government, meanwhile, maintains strong backing from key domestic political blocs and has forged closer ties with Russia, notably through security partnerships involving the Wagner Group and other defense cooperation agreements.

If approved by the NTC, the law will not only extend Goita’s transitional presidency until 2030 but also allow for indefinite renewals, raising fears of a de facto military presidency with no clear endpoint.

As Mali faces continued threats from Islamist insurgents, economic hardships, and social unrest, the prospect of prolonged military rule is intensifying the debate about democracy, legitimacy, and governance in a country still grappling with the aftermath of multiple coups.