Political authorities in Mali have revoked the licenses of all registered political parties, silencing opponents and critics of the military junta.
Unleashing Totalitarian Control: Mali's Brutal Crackdown on Opposition
For weeks, opposition parties have been nervously watching as the Malian military junta tightens its grip on power, banding together in a historic coalition to voice their concerns in a rare act of open defiance since the military coups in 2020 and 2021.
The latest act of repression unfolded after the junta chief General Assimi Goita approved the suspension of the political parties charter, leading to the dissolution of all "political parties and organizations" across the nation. This decision was unveiled on national television, adding that all meetings of opposition members were forbidden, setting a grim tone for Mali's future.
However, unsurprisingly, junta officials working within the state's political and administrative institutions are allowed to carry out their duties without being identified as representatives of political parties. This glaring inconsistency further fuels the opposition's belief that democracy in Mali is being eroded at an alarming rate.
The national assembly orchestrated in late April served as the basis for this harsh crackdown, with the junta proposing, among other things, a five-year renewable presidential term for Goita without the need for a vote. The opposition coalesced around their demand for an end to junta rule by December 2025 and for the restoration of constitutional order.
Since the coups, the Malian opposition has faced a wave of retaliatory measures, legal proceedings, and the dissolution of numerous associations. These actions have significantly weakened the opposition and raised concerns about the future of democracy in Mali.
Citing the risk of public unrest, the junta previously suspended all political party activities back in May, a move that drew criticism from the opposition and UN experts for restricting freedoms and civic space. However, this repression extends beyond politics. Media outlets, particularly those affiliated with former colonial power France, have been targeted, with TV5 Monde suspended for allegedly biased reporting, and others banned permanently.
In an op-ed, former justice minister Mamadou Ismaila Konate highlighted the junta's efforts to "systematically demolish political countervailing powers" in Mali. In response, Malian Director General of Territorial Administration Abdou Salam Diepkile denied that the move calls into question the existence of political parties but instead argued it aims to curb the proliferation of political parties in the country.
The flimsy justification for this harsh clampdown on Mali's political landscape has not gone unnoticed. Amnesty International and UN experts have called out the junta for violating freedom of expression and association, guaranteed by Mali’s 2023 constitution and international human rights treaties. Critics argue that the process of dissolving political parties lacks legitimacy and is conducted in a climate of fear and repression.
As Mali fights terrorism and organized crime, it seems the battle for democracy is also being lost, with the military junta steadily dismantling its opposition and repressing basic human rights. Without pressure from the international community, Mali risks a prolonged, authoritarian transition, devoid of free and fair elections, and absent of the freedoms guaranteed by its own constitution and international treaties.
© 2025 AFP
- The international community is expressing concern over Mali's government, as the military junta's recent policies and legislation, such as the suspension of political parties and the proposed extended presidential term for General Assimi Goita, are being seen as a hindrance to democracy.
- The opposition in Mali has been experiencing a series of repressive measures, including the dissolution of various associations, legal proceedings, and the targeting of media outlets, particularly those affiliated with France.
- The situation in Mali is not limited to war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice; it also raises concerns regarding general news and politics, as the junta's actions are eroding the country's constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of expression and association.
- Amnesty International and UN experts have criticized the Malian junta for its violation of international human rights treaties, particularly in relation to freedom of expression and association, and have called for pressure on the government to uphold these fundamental rights.
