Assimi Goïta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Général d’Armée
Assimi Goïta
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Goïta in 2023
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| Interim President of Mali | |
| Assumed office 28 May 2021 |
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| Prime Minister | Choguel Kokalla Maïga Abdoulaye Maïga |
| Preceded by | Bah Ndaw |
| President of the Confederation of Sahel States | |
| Assumed office 6 July 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Vice President of Mali | |
| In office 25 September 2020 – 24 May 2021 |
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| President | Bah Ndaw |
| Preceded by | Malick Diaw |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Chairman of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People | |
| In office 18 August 2020 – 25 September 2020 |
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| Prime Minister | Vacant |
| Deputy | Malick Diaw |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (president) |
| Succeeded by | Bah Ndaw (acting president) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 November 1983 Mali |
| Spouse | Lala Diallo |
| Alma mater | Joint Military School in Koulikoro Prytanée militaire de Kati |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mali |
| Branch/service | Malian Army |
| Rank |  Général d’Armée |
| Unit | Autonomous Special Forces Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Mali War |
Général d’Armée Assimi Goïta (born on November 9, 1983) is a Malian military officer. He has been the interim President of Mali since 2021. He also became the president of the Alliance of Sahel States in 2024. Goïta led a group called the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. This group took power from former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in 2020. Goïta later took power again from Bah Ndaw in 2021. He has postponed elections in Mali.
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Early Life and Military Career
Assimi Goïta is a member of the Minianka tribe. His father was also a military officer. Assimi Goïta trained at military schools in Mali. These included the Prytanée Militaire de Kati and the Joint Military School in Koulikoro.
Goïta served as a colonel in the Autonomous Special Forces Battalion. This is a special unit of the Malian Armed Forces. He led Malian special forces in the central part of the country. He also took part in fighting against extremist groups in Mali. In 2018, he met Mamady Doumbouya, who later became a leader in Guinea.
Goïta received more military training from the United States, France, and Germany. He also worked with United States Army Special Forces.
Becoming a Leader in Mali
First Time Taking Power and Becoming Vice President (2020)
Goïta was the leader of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. This group of soldiers removed Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta from power in 2020. They promised to hold new elections. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a group of West African countries, wanted Mali to be led by a civilian.
On September 21, 2020, Goïta was named interim vice president. This means he was a temporary vice president. Bah Ndaw was chosen as the temporary president. They were supposed to hold their positions for 18 months until new elections. Goïta officially became vice president on September 25, 2020.
Second Time Taking Power and Becoming President (2021–Present)
Goïta was involved in another event where he took power on May 24, 2021. After this, he became the leader of Mali. President Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were held by soldiers. Goïta said that Ndaw was trying to stop the country from moving towards democracy. He promised to hold elections in 2022. Goïta said he took action because Ndaw did not ask him about changes to the government.
On May 28, 2021, a court said he was the interim president of Mali. The court stated that Goïta should be called "president of the transition, head of state." This meant he would lead the country until a new government was fully in place. He then chose Choguel Kokalla Maïga to be the prime minister.
On July 20, 2021, Goïta was attacked by a person with a knife. This happened while he was praying at the Grand Mosque of Bamako in Bamako. The attacker was quickly arrested.
In June 2023, Mali held a vote on a new constitution. About 97% of voters supported it. In July 2023, Goïta pardoned 46 soldiers from Ivory Coast. These soldiers had been sentenced in December 2022. In July 2023, Goïta visited Russia. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to talk about support for Mali.
Goïta supported the new military leaders in Niger after they took power in 2023. In October 2023, Goïta spoke with President Putin again. They discussed trade and security. Goïta thanked Russia for its support to Mali.
In October 2024, Goïta was promoted to general in the Malian Army. He also postponed elections in 2024. On May 13, 2025, Goïta ended all political parties in Mali. On July 3, 2025, the temporary parliament allowed Goïta to stay in office for five more years. He can also stay longer if needed, without needing an election.
Personal Life
Goïta is married to Lala Diallo. A football tournament called the Colonel Assimi Goïta Super Cup is named after him. It started in 2021.
See also
In Spanish: Assimi Goïta para niños
