Mali's Military Regime Halts All Political Party Activities

Mali’s military government, led by transitional president General Assimi Goita, has suspended all political party activities “until further notice,” just days after a rare pro-democracy rally took place in the capital, Bamako. The announcement came through a decree signed on Wednesday, which cited “reasons of public order” and applied to all organizations with a political character, according to state media. The move is seen as a tightening of the military regime’s control over political life in the country and a further deviation from democratic norms.

This suspension follows the government’s recent decision to repeal the existing law governing political parties. Legal experts and political observers have interpreted that move as a clear indication of the authorities’ intent to dissolve political parties altogether. The decision has sparked growing concern among civil society groups and opposition figures who see it as a threat to Mali’s fragile democratic process.

In response to the decree and the repeal of the law, dozens of political parties formed a coalition demanding an end to the political-military transition and a return to constitutional rule. This coalition called for the transition to conclude no later than December 31, urging the military government to adhere to democratic norms and hold elections. Their demands reflect growing frustration with the prolonged military-led transition that began after successive coups in 2020 and 2021.

The newly formed coalition quickly mobilized supporters and held a protest on Saturday, drawing several hundred demonstrators in Bamako. Protesters expressed opposition to the military regime’s continued hold on power and called for the restoration of civilian rule. Another protest was expected to take place later in the week, signaling persistent resistance to the regime’s actions.

Cheick Oumar Doumbia, a prominent figure in the pro-democracy movement and one of the leaders of the weekend protest, stated that the decree did not come as a surprise. He claimed that the government’s intent was to suppress opposition by preventing political activities. However, he affirmed that the movement would not be silenced and vowed to continue advocating for democratic governance in Mali. “We are a people committed to democracy,” he declared, emphasizing the determination of Malians to stand against authoritarianism.

Goita, who came to power through coups in August 2020 and May 2021, has increasingly consolidated authority. Most recently, a national political conference recommended that he be installed as president for a renewable five-year term, raising concerns that the military leadership is aiming to entrench itself in power. The government had already suspended political parties’ operations temporarily for three months earlier in 2024, and the new indefinite suspension appears to further delay the return to democratic rule.

The unfolding events in Mali have drawn international attention, as the country continues to face security challenges, economic difficulties, and increasing isolation from democratic allies. The suspension of political parties signals a serious backslide in Mali’s democratic trajectory and casts doubt on the military regime’s commitment to a civilian-led future.