Mali’s military-led Government has indefinitely suspended on May 7 all political party and association activities, citing “public order” concerns, just days after hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators took to the streets of Bamako.
The decree, signed by transitional president Gen. Assimi Goita and announced on state television on Wednesday, comes at a tense moment, as civil society groups challenge the junta’s increasing consolidation of power. Protesters defied heavy police presence and threats of violence to rally against a proposed bill to dissolve political parties — the first major public display of dissent since the military seized power through coups in 2020 and 2021.
The clampdown follows growing calls for a return to civilian rule. A recent national dialogue controversially proposed extending Goita’s rule for a renewable five-year term, prompting civil society leaders, labour unions, and political actors to demand transparent and inclusive elections. However, police forcibly dispersed a press conference organised to air these concerns, claiming it posed a risk of clashes with regime loyalists. Critics argue that this decision to suspend political activity, echoing a similar move in 2024, reflects a deliberate strategy to stifle dissent during key political junctures.
As Mali distances itself from traditional Western allies and deepens ties with Russia, concerns mount over the junta’s authoritarian drift. The country continues to battle jihadist insurgencies linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State, exacerbating insecurity and humanitarian challenges. Analysts warn that the erosion of political freedoms under the guise of security and order risks plunging Mali further into instability, as growing numbers of citizens push back against military rule in pursuit of democratic governance.