Mali Junta Moves to Scrap Political Party Law Over Fears of Crackdown

Mali’s ruling military junta has taken another step that could significantly weaken the country’s civilian political structure, announcing on Wednesday the repeal of the law governing political parties.

The move has alarmed opposition groups, who fear it signals an effort to suppress dissent and dissolve political organisations altogether.

The announcement follows a national conference organised by the junta, which this week recommended both the dissolution of political parties and the endorsement of military leader General Assimi Goïta as head of state without an election.

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According to an official statement, a draft bill to scrap the 2005 political party charter, which regulates how parties are formed, funded, and managed, was approved during a cabinet session led by the military. The draft is expected to be presented soon to the transitional legislative council established by the junta after the 2020 and 2021 coups.

Mali Junta Moves to Scrap Political Party Law Over Fears of Crackdown

In a national broadcast, Abdou Salam Diepkile, Director General of Territorial Administration, claimed the repeal was not intended to eliminate political parties but to curb their unchecked multiplication.

However, almost all of Mali’s opposition parties boycotted the junta’s recent consultations on a proposed national political charter, fearing it is part of a broader campaign to cement military dominance and eliminate democratic competition.

The junta has previously pledged to return the country to civilian rule by 2024, but political freedoms have been increasingly curtailed. Human rights organisation Amnesty International described the latest actions as “alarming” and a further erosion of political freedoms in the region.

Observers fear Mali may follow the path of fellow military-ruled neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, where similar crackdowns on political dissent have occurred.

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