Mali Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was dismissed on November 20. (Source: AFP)

Mali's state television ORTM broadcast a statement from the President's Office stating: "The mandate of the prime minister and members of the government has ended."

On November 19, protesters in the capital Bamako and many cities across the country called for Mr. Maiga to resign. He was appointed Prime Minister of Mali in June 2021.

On November 17, Mr. Maiga called on the country's military leaders to discuss the end of the "transition" period, stressing that the process should have ended on March 26, 2024 as promised, but was postponed without debate within the government.

This is creating serious challenges, he said, calling for unity and “respect for authority, ensuring strength and stability.”

Since 2012, Mali has been in political and security crisis, due to attacks by jihadists and other armed groups as well as clashes between the army and separatists in the north of the country.

The West African country's military has been in power since successive coups in 2020 and 2021.

In June 2022, the government pledged to hold elections and transfer power to civilians by the end of March 2024, but has since postponed the vote indefinitely.