IN a bold move on Thursday, Malian political parties and civil society groups stood united against the ruling junta’s decree to halt political activities, denouncing it as a dictatorial imposition and vowing to contest it in court.
Since the military coup in 2020, Mali has been under military rule, leading to escalating tensions in recent weeks. Major political parties and civil society organisations jointly criticised the junta on March 31 for failing to schedule elections within the promised timeframe.
The authorities responded on Wednesday with a decree, suspending all political activities until further notice, citing the need to maintain public order. This move sparked outrage among the opposition, with many viewing it as a severe infringement on democratic freedoms.
In a joint declaration, the signatories expressed astonishment at the decree, labelling it a ‘serious violation’ of democratic principles. They firmly rejected the order and announced their intention to challenge it legally, refusing to participate in any government-related activities, including ongoing national talks.
‘This decree has surprised and shocked all republicans,’ remarked Boubacar Toure, vice-president of the Rally for Mali (RPM) party, which was led by ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. Toure suggested that the Constitutional Court should intervene, while others advocated for more direct forms of resistance.
Senior opposition figure Housseini Guindo called for civil disobedience, urging the people to resist what he described as ‘ignominy’ until the fall of the junta. The junta, which seized power in a second coup in 2021, had pledged to restore civilian rule by March 2024 following elections earlier this year. However, the postponement of the February elections indefinitely raised concerns about democratic regression in the region.
‘We call on Mali’s transition government to honour its commitments to its citizens and hold free and fair elections,’ urged US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Thursday, expressing deep concern over the suspension of political activities.
As tensions continue to simmer in Mali, the defiance of political parties and civil society against the junta’s decree sets the stage for a potential legal and political showdown in the coming days.