Authorities in Mali announced the suspension of political activity of parties and associations “until further notice”.
This was based on a decree issued by the head of the military council, Assimi Goïta, in which he said: “The activities of political parties and the activities of a political nature of associations throughout the national territory are suspended until further notice.”
“The acts of sabotage by political parties are multiplying, and we cannot hold such a very important dialogue amid disharmony and confusion,” the decree continued.
In doing so, the ruling council imposes additional restrictions on any opposition or criticism of the military in power since the August 2020 coup against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
This decision comes after the military council exceeded the March 26, 2024, date it had set based on pressure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to hand over power to an elected civilian authority, and therefore the military council did not hold presidential elections in February 2024 as promised.
Government spokesman Abdoulaye Maiga justified the suspension of the parties’ activity with the national “dialogue” launched by Goïta on December 31, stressing that the launch of this “dialogue” and the failure to comply with the March 26 deadline gave way to “sterile discussions”.
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