Mali: The CNT adopts a new Charter for a prolonged transition
On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Mali’s National Transition Council (CNT) unanimously adopted a significant revision of the Transition Charter. All 131 council members present voted in favor of the text, with no abstentions or opposition, following a thorough review in committee.
This reform redefines the legal and political framework of the ongoing transition, which began after the August 2020 coup and the rise to power of General Assimi Goïta in May 2021. Among the major changes, the duration of the transition is now set at five years, renewable without limitation. According to the adopted text, this measure aims to “ensure stability until the complete pacification of the territory.” However, early elections remain possible if the security situation allows.
Another notable change is that the transitional authorities, previously ineligible, will now be allowed to run in future elections. The President of the Transition, members of the government, and CNT councilors are thus authorized to seek elective office, marking an important shift in Mali’s political dynamics.
The text also establishes the primacy of the Constitution of July 22, 2023, over the Charter, thereby affirming the hierarchy of legal norms. In the event of a conflict between the two texts, the Constitution will prevail, strengthening the legal foundation of the transition process.
This revision follows on from the recommendations of the National Refoundation Conference (December 2021) and the Inter-Malian Dialogue held in April 2025. It reflects the transitional authorities’ determination to reinforce the institutional framework while keeping the focus on stability, in a context still marked by security challenges.
The promulgation of this text by General Assimi Goïta is expected in the coming days, the final step before it comes into force. This new legal framework paves the way for a prolonged transition, signaling the prospect of a lasting reshaping of Mali’s political landscape.
