Should a Prime Minister say that? This is the question we asked ourselves yesterday in this same press review. Well, we have the answer, it’s no…: four days after sharply criticizing the military junta, Choguel Maïga was sacked yesterday (Wednesday) evening.
« The Prime Minister thrown from his chair », exclaims Malijet. « In a special flash broadcast on the national channel, Alfousseini Diawara, secretary general of the presidency, announced the dismissal of the tenant of the prime ministership, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, by a decree signed by the president of the transition, General Assimi Goita. This decision puts an end to the functions of the Prime Minister as well as the members of his government. »
Pour Sahel Tribuneanother Malian media, it makes sense: “ Choguel Maïga has been at the center of repeated controversies in recent months. His speech to M5-RFP activists last Saturday, considered inflammatory by many observers, exacerbated already palpable tensions between the country’s different institutions and political actors. His remarks, where he denounced “institutional dysfunctions” and called for “vigilance in the face of rivalries,” were perceived as an attempt at division rather than a call for unity. »
What consequences?
And now?, asks Sahel Tribune : « who will take the reins of government? What will be the new political direction?? And above all, how will this decision impact the dynamic between civil and military forces?? The complete dismissal of the government could mark a profound reorganization of the executive power, estimates the Malian site. The next Prime Minister will have to take on colossal challenges: reconciling a fragmented political class, easing social tensions, continuing to rebuild institutions, and maintaining the course towards democratic elections. »
Afrik.com also asks: “ what fate will be reserved for Choguel Maïga? What position will he now take on the Malian political scene? Many analysts believe that his action is well calculated to ensure his political survival. Let’s wait and see. »
Young Africa continues: “ more isolated than ever, has Choguel Maïga played his cards right by going on the offensive against the generals, at a time when several signals suggest that elections could take place in Mali in the months to come? In any case, he could try to appear as an alternative to the transition led by the top brass. »
Forgotten?
Pour The Paalga Observer in Burkina Faso, it is not certain that the former Malian Prime Minister will politically survive his dismissal… ” Choguel Maïga had a good time firing at the generals to create a new “political virginity”, but did he not contribute to spoiling the situation during the time of IBK with other forces, like the High Islamic Council of Mali, headed by Imam Dicko, something that had led the military to “take their responsibilities”? Isn’t this the same Maïga who couldn’t see the soldiers in painting and who ended up putting himself in their service, no doubt driven by a certain all-consuming ambition? So to speak, he was in a very bad position to spit in the khaki soup after having greedily reveled in it for more than three years. And if his objective was to put himself in reserve for the Republic in the perspective of “return to normal constitutional life”, he is deluding himself, because barring an earthquake we do not really see how General Assimi Goïta will let go the affair. »
A page turns…
Pour Ledjely in Guinea, the future indeed looks complicated for the former Prime Minister: “ will the military let the very political Maïga play the opponent again? The chances of the junta being so lenient are very slim. Already, some are raising the possibility of legal proceedings against Choguel Maïga. »
The final word for everyday life Today in Ouagadougou: “ Has Choguel Maïga forgotten that he was only the polite civilian showcase of a military power? (…) Despite the services rendered to the Transition, he believed that he could set the agenda for it! The clash of timings shattered this beautiful civil-military team, making it lively diplomatically and internally. We can say that a page is turning (I am Mali), the news is full of uncertainties and major challenges that are pushing the election horizon further away. »
