Military regime in Mali bans all political activities amid tensions.

Colonel Assimi Goïta the President of mali. Courtesy image

The ruling military junta in Mali has suspended all political activities in the country until further notice.

Since seizing power, solidified by a second coup in May 2021, the junta has undertaken numerous acts of defiance, severing longstanding ties with France and its European partners, and shifting its military and political allegiance towards Russia.

A spokesman, Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga, said the suspension was motivated by what he called “sterile discussions” during an attempt at national dialogue earlier this year.

He said all activities by political parties and “associations of a political nature” have been suspended on the grounds of maintaining public order, in a statement on state television on Wednesday evening.

More than 80 political parties and civil groups recently called for presidential elections “as soon as possible” and an end to military rule.

Mali has been ruled by the military since 2022, following a coup.

The junta said presidential elections would be held in February but they were postponed, sparking outrage among political groups.

Government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga justified the suspension of party activities by the “sterile discussions” during an attempt at national dialogue earlier this year. Opposition voices have been largely stifled under junta rule. The junta banned the activities of a rare new opposition coalition in March, citing “threats of disturbance to public order”. The group was highly critical of military rule and proposed “a new way” for Malians who since 2012 have seen the country ravaged by groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

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