Mali has enacted a revised Transitional Charter that sets the duration of the transitional mandate at five years, renewable without limit, until national pacification is achieved.
The new blueprint, unanimously adopted by the National Transitional Council (CNT) on 3 July, was promulgated on 8 July 2025 by military leader General Assimi Goïta.
The charter notes that the transition period could be shortened if conditions allow for transparent and peaceful presidential elections.
This revision comes amid continued efforts to restore security and rebuild institutions following the August 2020 coup and the subsequent “rectification” in May 2021 that brought Goïta to power.
In addition to the constitution of 22 July 2023, the new charter redefines the preamble, values, missions, and institutional makeup of the transition. The presidential mandate is now officially set at five years, renewable as many times as necessary to ensure stability until peace is fully restored across the country.
Under the new provisions, Goita who is the transitional president, members of the government, and CNT advisors are now eligible to run in the general elections that will mark the end of the transition. In case of conflict between the charter and the constitution, the latter takes precedence.
The revised charter also outlines guiding principles for governance: patriotism, integrity, merit, civic responsibility, transparency, inclusion, dialogue, and reconciliation. Priority missions include securing national territory, rebuilding the state, reforming the education system, ensuring good governance, and organising elections.
The CNT, Mali’s transitional legislative body, remains in place with 147 members drawn from the armed forces, civil society, trade unions, traditional and religious leaders, women, youth, persons with disabilities, the diaspora, and the media. The government will continue to be led by a prime minister appointed by the transitional president.
The CNT adopted the revised charter during a plenary session on 3 July, with unanimous approval from the 131 members present, following committee reviews. The reform reflects recommendations made during the National Consultative Meetings in December 2021 and the Inter-Malian Dialogue in April 2025, highlighting the authorities’ intent to balance institutional stability with democratic openness amid an ongoing security crisis.
MD/ac/sf/lb/as/APA