Mali dissolves all political parties after opposition figures ‘arrested’

Mali’s military rulers have officially dissolved all political parties following recent protests and reports of arrests targeting opposition figures.

The announcement was made by military leader Assimi Goita in a televised address on Tuesday, signaling a further tightening of the junta’s control over the country’s political landscape.

The move comes in the wake of nationwide demonstrations on May 3 and 4, where protesters demanded a return to civilian democratic rule. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Down with dictatorship, long live democracy,” openly challenging the military government’s authority.

The junta had initially promised elections in 2022 but instead extended Goita’s presidency until 2030, a decision that sparked condemnation from opposition groups and human rights organizations.

In response to a planned protest on May 9, the military government issued a decree suspending all political activities across Mali, forcing opposition parties to cancel their demonstration.

Human rights groups have also reported the detention and disappearance of key opposition leaders, including Abba Alhassane, secretary general of the Convergence for the Development of Mali (CODEM), and El Bachir Thiam, head of the Yelema party, both reportedly taken by masked or unidentified armed men earlier this month.

Since seizing power in two coups in 2020 and 2021, the military government has faced mounting criticism for its authoritarian measures and failure to restore democratic governance amid ongoing security challenges. The latest crackdown underscores growing concerns about Mali’s political future under military rule.

Source: Al Jazeera