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 |
| 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 | 1983 (age 41–42) Mali |
| Spouse | Lala Diallo |
| Alma mater | Joint Military School in Koulikoro Prytanée militaire de Kati |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Mali |
| Branch/service | Malian Armed Forces |
| Rank |  Général d’Armée |
| Unit | Autonomous Special Forces Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Mali War |
Général d’Armée Assimi Goïta (born around 1983) is a Malian military officer. He has been the interim President of Mali since May 28, 2021. Goïta led a group of military officers called the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. This group took control from the former president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, in 2020. Later, Goïta also took power from Bah Ndaw in 2021 and became the interim president of Mali.
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Early Life and Military Career
Assimi Goïta is the son of a military officer. He received his training at military schools in Mali. These schools 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 the Mali War, which involved fighting against armed groups. In 2018, he met Mamady Doumbouya, who later became a leader in Guinea.
Goïta also received military training from the United States, France, and Germany. He gained experience working with the United States Army Special Forces.
Becoming a Leader in Mali
First Change in Government and Vice Presidency (2020)
Goïta was the leader of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People. This group of military officers removed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta from power in August 2020. This event is known as a coup d'état, which means a sudden takeover of the government. The group promised to hold new elections.
Because of this promise, a group of West African countries called ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) put pressure on Mali. They wanted the country to be led by a civilian, not just military officers.
On September 21, Goïta was named interim (temporary) vice president. Bah Ndaw was appointed interim president. They were supposed to hold these roles for 18 months until new elections could be held. Goïta officially took office on September 25, 2020.
Second Change in Government and Current Role (2021–Present)
Goïta was involved in a second change of government on May 24, 2021. After this, he took power. President Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were held. Goïta stated that Ndaw was trying to "sabotage" the plan to return to democracy. He promised that elections would still happen in 2022. Goïta said the reason for this action was that Ndaw did not talk to him about changes to the government's cabinet.
On May 28, 2021, a court declared Goïta the interim president of Mali. The court said he should be called "president of the transition, head of state." This title meant he would lead the country until the transition process was finished. On the same day, he said he would choose a prime minister from a group called the M5-RFP coalition. Choguel Kokalla Maïga was later chosen for this role.
On July 20, 2021, Goïta was attacked by a man while praying at the Grand Mosque of Bamako in Bamako. This happened during celebrations for a holiday called Eid al-Adha. The attacker was quickly arrested. The attacker, who was a teacher, died while in custody a few days later. The reason for his death is not known.
In June 2023, Mali held a vote on a new set of rules for the country, called a constitutional referendum. About 97% of voters supported the new rules. However, only about 39% of registered voters took part. Some people thought the vote was not fair. They also worried that the new rules would make it harder for Mali to become more democratic.
In July 2023, Goïta pardoned 46 soldiers from Ivory Coast. These soldiers had been sentenced in December 2022.
Also in July 2023, Goïta went to Russia for a meeting called the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit. This was his first trip outside Mali since 2021. After the meeting, he talked with Russian President Vladimir Putin. They discussed Russia's help for Mali. Goïta said that countries putting restrictions on Mali were acting in a "neocolonialist" way. This means he felt they were trying to control Mali like in the past.
Goïta also showed his support for the military leaders in Niger after they took control of their government in 2023. The Nigerien leaders then allowed the Malian Armed Forces to enter Niger.
In October 2023, Goïta and Putin talked on the phone again. They discussed trade and security. Goïta publicly thanked Russia for its support to Mali.
A football tournament called the Colonel Assimi Goïta Super Cup is named after him. It started in 2021. In October 2024, Goïta was promoted to general in the Malian Army.
Personal Life
Goïta is married to Lala Diallo. She is from the Fulani ethnic group.
