MALI’S military junta has issued a decree halting all political party activities in the country until further notice, according to government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga. The announcement was made in a televised statement on Wednesday evening, citing the imperative of maintaining public order.
The decree encompasses a suspension of activities not only for political parties but also for any ‘associations of a political nature,’ underscoring the junta’s efforts to control the political landscape amid ongoing instability.
Mali has been gripped by military rule since August 2020, amidst a wave of coups across West and Central Africa. The junta currently in power assumed control in a second coup in 2021 and pledged to reinstate civilian governance by March 26, 2024, following elections held earlier this year.
However, the junta’s credibility has been questioned after it postponed the scheduled February elections last year, citing technical issues. This delay drew sharp criticism from political entities and civil society groups. Subsequent missed deadlines further fuelled discontent, prompting calls for a definitive election timetable.
In a joint statement issued on March 31 by prominent political parties and civil society organisations, including a major opposition coalition and the party of the deposed ex-president, more than 20 signatories demanded a swift return to constitutional governance.
‘We will utilise all legal and legitimate means to restore normal constitutional order in our country,’ the statement read.
The junta’s failure to hold promised elections in February 2022 has intensified doubts about its commitment to a democratic transition. With this latest decree suspending political activities, Mali’s political landscape remains uncertain, raising concerns over the country’s trajectory toward civilian rule.
The suspension of political activities marks another contentious turn in Mali’s struggle for stable governance amid a backdrop of persistent military intervention.
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