Mali’s military junta has lifted a suspension on political party activities, initially imposed to maintain public order, the council of ministers announced on Wednesday.
The suspension, enacted in April just before a national dialogue for peace, aimed to prevent disorder amid the nation’s ongoing battle against a decade-long jihadist insurgency and military rule since August 2020.
“The government was able to contain all threats of public disorder surrounding this major event,” the council stated.
With the focus now on implementing recommendations from the April 13-May 10 peace dialogue, the government has allowed political parties to resume activities.
Mali’s junta, which took power in a second coup in 2021, postponed elections initially set for February indefinitely, citing technical reasons. This decision sparked anger among political parties and civil society groups, who demanded a return to constitutional order.
Since the August 2020 coup in Mali, there have been eight coups in West and Central Africa, including in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, which are also fighting jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.
