ACCRA
Mali’s military leader, Gen. Assimi Goita, on Tuesday dissolved all political parties and organizations of a “political nature.”
The West African nation’s administration banned all activities and gatherings linked to dissolved political parties and organizations, including meetings, support efforts, and leadership roles, according to a presidential decree read out on national television.
“Any violation of the provisions of this decree shall expose perpetrators and accomplices to the penalties provided by applicable laws and regulations,” the statement said.
This came after the suspension of all political parties and organizations last week.
Mali has been ruled by the military since coups in 2020 and 2021.
The administration pledged in June 2022 to hold elections and hand power back to civilians by the end of March 2024, but it later postponed the vote indefinitely.
The military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023 through a treaty aimed at deepening political, economic, and security ties among the three West African nations.
The confederation has taken bold steps to redefine its international alignment, including recent withdrawals from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).
