In an interview with RFI on Monday, September 27, the Malian Prime Minister accuses France of having let go of his country in full flight and openly evokes a postponement of the elections supposed to mark the return ...

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga's offensive remarks provoke strong reactions

Malian Transitional Prime Minister Choguel Maïga during his interview with RFI and France 24 in New York.

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

His remarks did not go well with certain members of the French and Malian political classes.

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On this political level, Choguel Maïga calmly reveals his logic.

Because of the prerequisites, the date of the presidential and legislative elections set at the end of February 2022 - to which

the transitional government

had

committed

, in particular to ECOWAS -

is not tenable.

The next national meeting of the refoundation will very probably set new dates.

The Prime Minister's remarks did not surprise Malian political parties, reports our correspondent in Bamako,

Serge Daniel

It was clear in the process for a while, the government wanted this postponement

", according to Djiguiba Kéita, of the National Renaissance Party (PArena).

Prime Minister Choguel has seized power through the streets, he wants to keep it through cunning

For Amadou Koïta, the transitional Prime Minister cannot betray his commitments to Malians and the international community regarding the election calendar:

We have the skills, the expertise necessary to hold elections in five months if the political will is there [...] If the Prime Minister thinks that he is incapable of organizing elections, in this case he returns the apron.

Amadou Koïta: "We have the impression that we are in a phase of confiscation of power"

Gaelle Laleix

Other political formations in Mali are more nuanced on the subject. For the Party for Economic Development and Solidarity (PDES), the most important thing is not the announcement of the postponement of a few weeks or even a few months of the date of the presidential and legislative elections, but the inclusive approach that must be that of the government. "

Everyone must be associated to discuss the possible postponement,

" insists Moulaye Omar Haïdara.

On this subject, like that of national territory security, the PDES sees no other outcome than "

a fruitful dialogue between all the active forces of the nation

It is this dialogue that the Prime Minister is seeking by announcing the forthcoming organization of the National Assizes.

But political parties, including heavyweights, have already announced that they will not participate in these meetings.

► Also to listen: Guest Africa - Choguel Maïga: faced with Barkhane's withdrawal, "we have an obligation to seek solutions"

Declarations on the abandonment of Mali by France contested

Another controversial subject, the possible arrival of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group.

To the press, Choguel Maïga said he did not know the group in question.

But very quickly, he asserts with serenity that the day his country signs a security agreement with a partner, we will know.

But for him, at a time when,

according to him, France is abandoning Mali

, which Paris denies, it is the duty of his government to seek by all means to secure the country.

Faced with these remarks, the French deputy Thomas Gassiloud, member of La République en Marche, retorts that France is not leaving Mali and the speech of the Malian Prime Minister is biased on security issues.

It is quite inconsistent to blame France for its presence and at the same time to blame it for the reorganization of its system.

Thomas Gassiloud (LREM deputy): "I was surprised by these words"

Alexandra Brangeon

After eight years of military presence in Mali, the security situation has deteriorated, says Choguel Maïga.

But for Amadou Koïta, president of the socialist party Yelen Kura and member of the exchange framework for a successful transition, resorting to a private company to secure the territory is not a solution.

“

Yes to a diversification of partnerships, but with States, not with private structures or with mercenaries.
[...] It must be done within a legal framework with States which are there, which help us.
We still need the partners.
We still need support,

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga's offensive remarks provoke strong reactions

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maïga's offensive remarks provoke strong reactions

Declarations on the abandonment of Mali by France contested

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