On Wednesday, May 7, Mali’s military junta declared an indefinite halt to all political party activities and associations, citing “reasons of public order,” as opposition groups persist in protesting the regime’s growing suppression of dissent.
The decree, authorized by junta leader General Assimi Goita, was broadcast on national television and radio. It precedes a planned opposition rally on Friday, which demands the reinstatement of political parties and a return to constitutional governance in the conflict-ridden Sahel nation.
The suspension encompasses all “associations of a political character,” representing another major curb on political liberties in a country governed by the military since consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.
This decision follows the junta’s April 30 move to abolish a law regulating political party operations, a step legal analysts warn could facilitate their complete dissolution.
In reaction, a coalition of approximately 100 political parties was established to call for the termination of the military-led transition by December 31, 2025, and to advocate for a clear schedule for reinstating constitutional rule.
The coalition held a rare public demonstration last Saturday in Bamako, attracting several hundred participants—a courageous move under a regime that has increasingly stifled opposition voices.
Authorities had earlier imposed a three-month suspension of political party activities in 2024, and this new decree indicates a further intensification of the crackdown on political dissent.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
