The UN is sounding the alarm over Mali’s political landscape. Through its High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the global body vehemently criticized the indefinite suspension of elections in Mali, along with the “intensified crackdown” on its civil society. Türk voiced profound concern that “laws enacted in recent months risk undermining human rights in Mali for a prolonged period.” He further “implored the transitional authorities to undertake concrete and immediate actions to revoke these problematic legislative measures.” 

Unlimited mandate and prominent arrests

This past July, General Assimi Goïta, who has led the ruling junta in the nation since 2021, enacted legislation effectively granting himself an unlimited presidential term, thereby becoming the de facto President of the Republic. Volker Türk underscored, “These legal amendments have effectively shut the door on any democratic elections in Mali for the foreseeable future, infringing upon every citizen’s right to engage in public affairs, to vote, and to be elected in genuine periodic elections. They must be promptly repealed.”

Two months prior, in May, political parties were officially dissolved. The matter is currently under review by the Constitutional Court.

Ending the weaponization of law

Concurrently, a growing number of civil society figures and former political leaders, such as anti-corruption activist Clément Dembélé and former Prime Minister Choguel Maïga, have been arrested. “The marked increase in arrests of Malians from all societal strata, based on vague accusations of undermining state credibility – simply for expressing their views – is profoundly alarming,” warned the High Commissioner. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals arbitrarily detained, stating, “This instrumentalization of the law to suppress dissent must cease without delay.”