Mali’s ruling military government has announced the indefinite suspension of all political activities, including those of parties and civic organisations, citing “reasons of public order.”

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The decision, formalised in a decree signed on Wednesday by transitional president General Assimi Goita, comes amid growing unrest and criticism of the junta’s extended hold on power.

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The announcement follows a rare pro-democracy protest held in the capital, Bamako, last weekend, during which hundreds of demonstrators defied warnings from the authorities to express opposition to a proposed bill that seeks to dissolve all political parties.

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“I’m not surprised, I expected this because this is their way of preventing us from carrying out our activities, but we will continue to defend democracy in Mali,” said protest leader Cheick Oumar Doumbia.

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A broader movement, consisting of political parties, civil society leaders, and labour organisations, has been calling for “a rapid and credible return to constitutional order through the organisation of transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections.”

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The junta had originally pledged to hold elections in February 2022. However, the timeline has shifted multiple times, raising concerns about the transitional government’s intentions.

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This is not the first instance of political suppression ahead of key decisions. In April 2024, the government similarly halted political activity in advance of an “inter-Malian dialogue,” which eventually recommended extending the transition period from two to five years.

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Meanwhile, Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, formed the Alliance of Sahel States in 2023 after collectively withdrawing from ECOWAS. The move has been interpreted by analysts as an effort to legitimise the military regimes in the face of sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

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All three countries have also distanced themselves from France, their former colonial power, choosing instead to strengthen ties with Russia.

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Security threats continue to mount in Mali, as armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State escalate attacks — a crisis that has plagued the country for over a decade.

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