In June-August 2020, Mali’s M5-RFP (June 5 Movement) launched mass protests against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) over corruption, disputed legislative elections, and failure to combat jihadist insurgency—culminating in an August 18 military coup that removed IBK but failed to resolve Mali’s crises, triggering additional coups and Russian Wagner Group entry.

IBK’s government faced multiple crises: jihadist control of northern/central regions, Islamist attacks near Bamako, French military presence resentment, economic stagnation, and April 2020 legislative election fraud. Opposition coalition M5-RFP—led by fiery imam Mahmoud Dicko—mobilized hundreds of thousands demanding IBK’s resignation.

July 10-13 protests saw violent police crackdowns killing 14. On August 18, mutinying soldiers arrested IBK, Prime Minister Boubou Cissé, and other officials—IBK resigned on TV that night. ECOWAS condemned the coup and imposed sanctions, demanding civilian transitional government.

The junta installed interim President Bah N’Daw and PM Moctar Ouane, promising 18-month transition to elections. However, in May 2021, military staged second coup when civilian leaders attempted to reshuffle military positions. Colonel Assimi Goïta became president, repeatedly delaying elections.

Mali pivoted from France to Russia, inviting Wagner Group mercenaries. French forces withdrew after 9 years. Wagner’s brutal tactics against civilians, UN documented atrocities, and jihadist violence worsened—Mali descended into deeper crisis.

The 2020 uprising removed an unpopular president but empowered a military junta that proved even less accountable, demonstrating coup vulnerabilities in fragile states.

Sources: BBC Africa, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, ECOWAS, Human Rights Watch, UN