Mali must reject the alarming proposal to abolish political parties
In response to suggestions that all political parties in Mali should be disbanded following recent charter reviews, Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel specialist at Amnesty International, voiced deep concern:
« We are deeply troubled by the move to dissolve political groups in Mali, which would constitute a severe violation of the rights to free speech and association. The governing bodies must halt the intensifying suppression of the civic sphere and uphold the human rights of every citizen, including dissenters, activists, and opposition members.
« Eliminating political parties would defy the 2023 Constitution established by the transition government. This document guarantees the existence of such organizations and confirms their liberty to form and function according to the law.
« Such an action would also be entirely at odds with Mali’s international human rights pledges, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which the country has ratified. »
Background
Since the start of 2024, the military administration in Mali has ramped up its efforts to stifle political organizations.
From April 10 to July 10, 2024, a government decree suspended all political activities for parties and associations, while simultaneously banning media outlets from reporting on political matters. This crackdown occurred after several groups demanded a return to constitutional order through democratic elections as outlined in the transition framework.
During a national dialogue in May 2024—which most opposition parties refused to attend—recommendations were made to prolong the transition period until the nation achieves stability. These proposals also included stricter requirements for establishing new parties and the total withdrawal of public financial support.
Furthermore, in June 2024, authorities arrested 11 political leaders, accusing them of conspiring against state authority. These individuals remained in custody until their provisional release in December 2024.