Mali Junta dissolves all political parties in the last opposition repression

Mali’s military junta has dissolved all political parties in the country against the background of increasing repression of disagreement as the army has seized power.

“All meetings of members of political parties and organizations of political nature are dissolved in the national territory,” according to the presidential decree read on state television on Tuesday.

He was signed by military leader Assyimi Goa, who seized power after a coup in 2020 and 2021 and must remain in power for at least another five years, despite promises to hold elections.

This move is expected to cause new resistance from political parties who want the country to return to democratic government.

Since last year, military authorities have increased repression of political activity.

Last week, after a rare protest for democracy, two opposition leaders were abducted by armed men, saying they were police officers. Authorities have not commented on the reported arrests.

National Conference organized by the regime – but boycotted by leading opposition parties – Last month, he recommended the name of Gen Goïta as president by 2030.

This move provoked condemnation by opposition figures and human rights groups. Initially, the junta was committed to holding elections in February 2022.

The presidential decree warns the Malians not to neglect the dissolution of political parties, but do not outline any penalties.

It says that anyone who works in a political or administrative role can “continue their duties without party affiliation.”

The order follows the suspension of all political activity – another recommendation from the National Conference – which caused turmoil among the opposition.

A hundred parties coalition had planned a protest against the transitional authorities last week, but postponed it after the suspension of political activities.

Opposition leaders condemned the dissolution of political parties.

“As much as they try to make you invisible, your value does not depend on their recognition,” Nouhoum Togo, President of the Union for the Protection of the Party of the Republic (USR), published on social media.

Musa Mara, a former prime minister and leader of the Yelema Party, has identified the restrictions of the junta as a “heavy blow to the efforts for reconciliation initiated last year.”

Analyst Wolfe Laesing said the country’s military leaders were trying to “interrupt old elites who were responsible after independence and were regarded as very close to the former colonial power France.”

After taking power, the Junta leader formed an alliance with the coup leaders in the neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, heading to the region to Russia after drastically reducing connections with the former colonial power France.

Gen Goïta also withdrew Mali from the Ecowas Regional Group because of his demands to restore democratic government. Burkina Faso and Niger also left the grouping.