In a sweeping move to tighten control, Mali’s military government has dissolved all political parties in the country. The decision, announced in a televised broadcast on Tuesday, comes just days after rare public protests demanding a return to civilian rule.
The junta, led by Colonel Assimi Goita—who seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021—has also suspended all political activities following a wave of demonstrations on May 3rd and 4th. Protesters took to the streets with placards denouncing dictatorship and calling for democratic elections, which were initially promised for 2022.
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The crackdown coincides with troubling reports of disappearances of opposition leaders. Human Rights Watch says prominent political figures, including Abba Alhassane of CODEM and El Bachir Thiam of the Yelema party, were abducted by masked gunmen last week. Another youth leader has also gone missing.
Malian authorities have yet to respond to the growing concerns, while rights groups warn of a deepening crisis in the West African nation, already besieged by jihadist violence and instability.
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