Mali: calls to drop alarming proposal to disband political parties

Responding to the suggestion of dissolving all political parties in Mali, following consultations on revising the Charter of Political Parties, Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa regional office, stated:

“We are deeply concerned by the proposed dissolution of political parties in Mali and caution against what would constitute an egregious violation of the rights to freedom of expression and association. The authorities must cease the escalating suppression of civic space and uphold the human rights of everyone in the country, including critics, human rights defenders, and opposition members.”

“The disbanding of political parties would contradict the Constitution enacted in 2023 by the transitional authorities, which secures the presence of political parties and affirms their right to ‘form and freely conduct their activities under conditions determined by law.’”

“Furthermore, it would be inconsistent and incompatible with Mali’s international human rights commitments, notably the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Mali is a signatory.”

Context

The ruling military administration in Mali has intensified its crackdown on political parties since 2024.

Between April 10 and July 10, 2024, authorities mandated a suspension of “the activities of political parties and the political activities of associations” and prohibited all media coverage of political activities nationwide. Several political parties had previously urged the authorities to honor the Transition Charter and organize elections to facilitate a return to constitutional governance.

The national dialogue, convened in May 2024 by the authorities and largely shunned by most political parties, recommended extending the interim period until the “stabilization of the country.” Recommendations also included tightening conditions for establishing political parties and eliminating their public funding.

In June 2024, 11 leaders of political parties were apprehended and indicted for “conspiracy against state power” and “defiance of legitimate authority.” They were temporarily released in December 2024.