Mali: the ruling junta suspends the activities of political parties

The Malian junta has published a decree putting an end to the activities of political parties, government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga announced Wednesday evening in a statement read on state television.

The decree suspends until further notice all activities of political parties and “associations of a political nature” for reasons of maintaining public order, the press release specifies.

The decree comes after more than 80 political parties and civil groups issued joint statements on April 1 calling for presidential elections “as soon as possible” and an end to military rule.

The country has been ruled by juntas since consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.

In June 2022, the junta announced that presidential elections would be held in February and power would be transferred to civilians on March 26. But the elections were postponed and the junta has given no further indication of its intentions.