Assimi Goïta

Coup leader and President of Mali

First coup d'état and vice presidency (2020)

Goïta served as the leader of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, a group of rebels who overthrew Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in the 2020 Malian coup d'état, and have pledged to initiate new elections to replace him. Because of this pledge, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) pressured Mali's ruling junta to ensure that the country would be led by a civilian.

On 21 September, Goïta was named interim vice president by a group of 17 electors, with Bah Ndaw being appointed interim president. They were to hold the position for 18 months, until new elections. He took the oath of office on 25 September 2020. On 1 October 2020, the "Mali Transition Letter" was published where it was specified, in response to the request of ECOWAS, that the vice president "in charge of defense and security issues" would not be able to replace President Bah Ndaw.

Second coup d'état and current rule (2021–present)

Goïta was involved in a second coup d'état on 24 May 2021, after which he seized power. President Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were detained. Goïta claimed that Ndaw was attempting to "sabotage" the transition to democracy, and committed to elections in 2022. The coup was instigated by Goïta's claim that Ndaw failed to consult him about a cabinet reshuffle. It was alleged that one of the motives for the latest coup was the removal of Colonel Sadio Camara as defense minister. Camara was reinstated as defense minister by Goïta following his takeover.

On 28 May 2021, the constitutional court declared him interim president of Mali. The court ruling stated that Goïta should carry the title "president of the transition, head of state" to "lead the transition process to its conclusion". On the same day, he said that he would name a prime minister from the M5-RFP coalition. Choguel Kokalla Maïga was eventually nominated to form a cabinet. On 20 July 2021, Goïta was attacked by a knife-wielding man while praying at the Grand Mosque in Bamako amid festivities for the Eid al-Adha. The attacker was then immediately arrested after failing to stab the President. Overall two men were arrested by the security forces. One of them was, however, found to be a special forces soldier wrongly assumed to be the attacker's accomplice. The knifeman, identified as a teacher, died in custody five days after the attack. The cause of death is unknown.

On 23 June 2023, a constitutional referendum took place, with 97% of voters supporting the adoption of the proposed constitution. 39.4% of registered voters participated in the referendum. The new constitution was controversial, with critics alleging that the referendum was compromised and that the new constitution would make democratic reforms less likely. On 25 July 2023, it was announced that Goïta had pardoned 46 soldiers from Ivory Coast that had been sentenced in December 2022. In July 2023, Goïta attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg in his first foreign visit since the 2021 coup. After the summit ended, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia's ongoing economic and humanitarian support for Mali. During the meeting, Goïta accused countries sanctioning Mali of engaging in a "neocolonialist practice", according to a transcript by the Kremlin.

Goïta declared his support for the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) junta in Niger in the wake of the 2023 Nigerien coup d'état, and the CNSP later gave the Malian Armed Forces permission to enter Niger. In October 2023, Goïta held a telephone conversation with Putin, his third in less than two months, in which they discussed trade and security relations. Goïta later publicly "expressed [his] gratitude for all the support that Russia provides to Mali."

In October 2024, Goïta self-promoted to the rank of general of the Malian Army. He indefinitely postponed elections in 2024 and dissolved all political parties in May 2025. On 3 July 2025, the National Transitional Council allowed Goita to stay in office for a five-year term, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without requiring an election.

On 25 April 2026, the Azawad Liberation Front and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin jointly launched attacks across Mali. According to the junta, the insurgents attempted to kill Goïta at his residence with a car bomb. He disappeared from public view, and resurfaced on April 29, meeting with the Russian ambassador. On May 4, Goïta appointed himself defense minister to replace Sadio Camara, who was killed in the attacks. Military chief Oumar ⁠Diarra was appointed minister delegate.

2025 alleged coup attempt

On August 14, Mali's senior military leadership announced it had thwarted an alleged coup attempt, arresting two generals (Abass Dembélé, former governor of Mopti Region, and Air Force Brigadier General Nema Sagara), several dozen military officers, soldiers, and civilians, as well as a French national and former lieutenant colonel in the National Gendarmerie who was accused of working on behalf of French intelligence services. The Chief of Staff of the National Guard was purportedly arrested as well. Rumors surrounding the arrests had supposedly been circulating throughout Mali in the days leading up to the announcement; no evidence was provided to legitimate claims made by the government.

The alleged coup is believed by outside observers to be tied to an internal power struggle within the military junta. Experts believe that a schism between Goïta and Defense Minister Sadio Camara over future elections influenced the arrests. Reportedly, the majority of those arrested were members of the National Guard, within which Camara had a strong base of support. Opposition to Goïta has been growing since 2024, with multiple key figures in the junta shifting/consolidating their support to/behind Camara. Several officials aligned with the Defense Minister were removed from their posts that year; Camara was largely cut off from the leadership's communications channels thereafter, prior to his assassination in 2026.

Economic policies

Under Goïta the government's stake in mining projects increases from 20% to 35%, with an option to acquire an additional 10%. Companies must pay new taxes and settle tax arrears, or face severe penalties. He advocates nationalization, which is shown in two mines, the Morila and Yatela mines, now entirely under state control. Additionally, an audit commissioned by Goïta allegedly revealed "irregularities" in mining contracts.

Public image

Assimi Goïta portrays himself as the "Defender and Liberator of Mali" and as a "Exceptional man in exceptional times", this mirrors with Malian myths and traditions. The national liberation rhetoric of Goïta is described as conservative populist rather than as traditional left-wing revolutionary one.

Personal life

Goïta is married to Lala Diallo. He is Muslim.