In response to suggestions that all political parties in Mali should be disbanded following discussions on the Political Parties Charter, Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher for the Amnesty International regional office, issued a stern warning:
“We are deeply concerned by the recommendation to dissolve political parties in Mali, as this would represent a severe violation of the fundamental rights to free association and expression. The governing authorities must halt the intensifying crackdown on civic space and uphold the human rights of every citizen, including opposition members, human rights defenders, and vocal critics.”
The proposed dissolution would directly conflict with the Constitution established by the transition government in 2023. This legal framework explicitly protects the existence of political parties and confirms their right to organize and operate freely within the boundaries of the law.
Furthermore, such a move would be entirely inconsistent with the international human rights commitments of Mali. This includes the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which Mali is a signatory to.
Background on the situation
Since the beginning of 2024, the military leadership in Mali has significantly increased its pressure on political organizations.
From April 10 to July 10, 2024, the government issued a decree suspending the activities of all political parties and associations with political goals. During this period, media outlets were also prohibited from reporting on political matters. These restrictive measures followed demands from several political groups for the authorities to honor the transition Charter and schedule elections to restore constitutional governance.
In May 2024, a national dialogue was convened by the authorities, though it was shunned by most major political parties. This dialogue resulted in recommendations to extend the transition period until the nation reaches “stabilization.” Additional proposals included implementing stricter requirements for forming new political parties and ending their access to public funding.
The crackdown escalated in June 2024 when 11 political leaders were arrested. They faced charges of “conspiracy against state authority” and “opposition to legitimate authority.” These individuals were eventually granted provisional release in December 2024.