Mali’s ruling military junta has taken a significant step by suspending all political activities across the country, citing the need to maintain public order.
The decree, issued by junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, halts the activities of political parties and associations with a political agenda until further notice.
This move comes in response to joint statements made by over 80 political parties and civil groups on April 1, urging for presidential elections to be held “as soon as possible” and calling for an end to military rule.
Mali has been under junta control since consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021, exacerbating the already dire security situation and adding to the humanitarian and political crises facing the nation.
Initially, the junta announced plans for presidential elections in February 2022, with power slated to be transferred back to civilian authorities by March 26 of that year.
However, the elections were postponed, leaving uncertainty about the junta’s intentions moving forward.
Government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga defended the suspension of party activities, citing the “sterile discussions” during an attempted national dialogue earlier in the year.
Opposition voices have faced suppression under junta rule, with the banning of a rare new opposition coalition in March due to alleged threats to public order.
This coalition had been vocal in its criticism of military rule and proposed alternative approaches for addressing Mali’s longstanding challenges, including the presence of armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group since 2012.
The United Nations reported last month that at least four organizations had been dissolved in Mali since December 2023, including groups focused on good governance, elections, and opposition.
Since seizing power in 2020, the junta has ended several alliances, including those with the European Union and France, instead opting to cultivate closer ties with Russia.
These developments underscore the ongoing volatility and uncertainty in Mali’s political landscape, with implications for both domestic governance and international relations.
