The Movement of June 5 – Rally of Patriotic Forces (French: Mouvement du 5 Juin – Rassemblement des forces patriotiques; M5-RFP) is a political movement in Mali founded in June 2020 in opposition to the government of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.
The imam Mahmoud Dicko, an influential opposition figure who led the M5-RFP, told protestors in August 2020: "This combat is to restore the Malian nation ... If [Keïta] doesn't listen to us, he will see. I swear before God that he will see. But if we don't rush, we will win this victory."[1] The government of Keïta was deposed by a military junta in a coup d'état later that month, after it was embattled by months of protest led by the M5-RFP movement. According to Le Monde and Agence France-Presse, at that point, the movement had become a coalition composed of members of the opposition and religious and civil society.[2]
The following month, in September 2020, M5-RFP rejected a charter produced after discussions between political and civil figures, including M5-RFP representatives, and the military junta for an 18-month transition of power. Among the points of contention, the coalition cited the lack of "recognition of the role of the M5-RFP and the martyrs in the struggle of the Malian people for change"[a] and said that there was a "majority choice of a transition led by a civilian figure".[b][3] Former defense minister and retired colonel Bah Ndaw was named the interim president later that month by a committee backed by the military junta.[4] Some M5-RFP coalition leaders supported the Ndaw's appointment; coalition coordinator Choguel Kokalla Maïga was dissatisfied with the appointment, while Dicko was not involved in the committee's decision to make the appointment.[4]
Ndaw and prime minister Moctar Ouane were arrested by the military in May 2021 and resigned shortly from their positions shortly after.[5] A new transitional president, Assimi Goïta, was sworn in shortly thereafter.[6] Goïta called for the M5-RFP to name a new prime minister from within M5-RFP; Choguel Kokalla Maïga was subsequently named by the coalition.[6] At a rally the following month, the M5-RFP called on the international community to support Mali following the coup the previous year.[6]
In November 2024, the military junta ousted Maiga as prime minister after he had reportedly "issued a rare criticism of the military rulers."[7]
Notes
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edit- ↑ Mugabi, Isaac (19 August 2020). "Mali revolt turns into coup d'etat". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
- ↑ "Au Mali, le colonel Assimi Goïta enfile le costume de président dans un Sahel meurtri". Le Monde (in French). 7 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Mali: le Mouvement du 5 juin refuse le projet de charte de transition proposé" (in French). TV5Monde. 13 September 2020. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022.
- 1 2 van Eyssen, Benita (26 September 2020). "The retired colonel chosen to return Mali to civilian rule". Deutsche Welle. AP, AFP, Reuters. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ "Mali's president and premier resign following military takeover". Reuters. 26 May 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Le Mouvement du 5 juin-Rassemblement des forces patriotiques invite la communauté internationale à soutenir le Mali" (in French). PanaPress. 5 June 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
- ↑ "Mali junta chief sacks PM and government". Bamako: France 24. Agence France-Presse. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2026.