The military-led government in Mali has dissolved all political parties in the country. A statement broadcast on the state-run media on Tuesday (13 May) announced that the decision had been approved by the military ruler, Assimi Goïta. This news was reported by the British news agency Reuters.
Assimi Goïta, the army chief, has seized power twice through military coups. After his most recent takeover in 2021, he declared that general elections would be held the following year. However, that “next year” never arrived. Instead, nearly three years later, he appears to have laid the groundwork to hold onto power for the long term.
Last month, Goïta convened a national conference in the capital, involving various political parties. Although major opposition groups boycotted the event, leaders from several participating parties called for the temporary dissolution of all political parties and urged that Goïta remain in power as president until 2030.
They further claimed that elections were unnecessary until stability was restored in the country.
These demands sparked public outrage. On 3 and 4 May, protest rallies were held in the capital city of Bamako, where demonstrators chanted slogans against the government. Their voices rang out with cries of “Down with dictatorship, let democracy be free.”
In continuation of the unrest, another protest was planned for 9 May. However, just two days prior, the government imposed a ban on all political gatherings across the country.
Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that three opposition politicians have been forcibly taken away.
Reuters attempted to contact Mali’s Ministry of Security for a statement on the overall situation, but received no response from the authorities.
