In a dramatic escalation of authoritarian rule, Mali’s military government has dissolved all political parties, drawing sharp criticism from human rights groups and deepening fears over the country’s democratic future. The sweeping decree, announced on national television on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, comes amid rising public unrest and accusations of abductions and intimidation targeting opposition leaders.
Colonel Assimi Goita, who seized power through two successive military coups in 2020 and 2021, ratified the decision following mass protests earlier in May demanding a return to civilian rule. The move marks one of the junta’s most aggressive actions yet in dismantling Mali’s democratic framework.
A Blunt Blow to Democracy
Thousands of Malian citizens took to the streets on May 3 and 4, in one of the boldest public demonstrations against the junta in years. Protesters marched through the capital Bamako, chanting slogans such as “Down with dictatorship, long live democracy,” directly challenging the military leadership’s grip on power.
The demonstrations followed a controversial national conference in April, where handpicked delegates recommended extending Goita’s presidency until 2030—a proposal widely condemned by opposition parties and rights advocates as a ploy to institutionalize military rule.
In what now appears to be a retaliatory clampdown, the military regime initially suspended all political activities, effectively canceling another planned demonstration for Friday, May 10. The complete dissolution of all political parties, announced just days later, has further raised alarms about Mali’s political trajectory.
“The suspension of political parties was just the beginning. Now we are seeing the outright dismantling of opposition structures,” a Bamako-based analyst told Africalivenews. “This is a death knell for any semblance of democratic engagement in Mali.”
Reports of Abductions and Forced Disappearances
The dissolution of political parties comes as opposition figures continue to disappear under mysterious circumstances. Human rights groups report that multiple leaders have been abducted by masked gunmen, allegedly acting with the military’s tacit approval.
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed that Abba Alhassane, secretary-general of the Convergence for the Development of Mali (CODEM) party, was seized by unidentified masked men.
That same day, El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema party, was reportedly abducted in Kati, a town outside Bamako.
Adding to the growing list of disappearances, a CODEM member told Reuters that Abdoul Karim Traore, a youth leader, had gone missing, and the party feared he had also been abducted. Malian authorities have not issued any official statements addressing these arrests or the wider crackdown on political opponents.
“We are witnessing a full-scale purge of the political opposition,” said a representative of HRW. “There is no rule of law, no transparency—only force and fear.”
Historical Context: A Cycle of Coups and Repression
Mali’s descent into authoritarianism has been gradual but steady since August 2020, when Goita led a coup ousting then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, following mass protests and a growing jihadist insurgency. In May 2021, Goita staged a second coup, removing the transitional civilian government and installing himself as interim president.
The military cited the previous government’s failure to address rising insecurity and jihadist violence as justification for the takeover. However, critics argue that the junta has since abused its power, suppressing dissent and delaying the return to democratic rule.
In July 2020, even before the coup, at least 14 civilians were killed in protests against the civilian government—foreshadowing the violent crackdowns that would continue under military leadership.
Despite early promises to hold elections by February 2022, the junta repeatedly postponed the vote, citing security challenges. With the latest announcement extending Goita’s rule to 2030, many observers fear elections have now been shelved indefinitely.
Wagner Group and Human Rights Violations
Concerns over the junta’s actions are further compounded by its reported collaboration with the Russian Wagner Group, a private military contractor accused of numerous human rights abuses in Mali and elsewhere in Africa.
In a report published in December 2024, HRW stated that Malian soldiers alongside Wagner operatives “deliberately killed” at least 32 civilians and burned over 100 homes in central and northern Mali.
These atrocities, coupled with the current wave of political repression, have painted a grim picture of the human rights situation in the country.
International Silence and Regional Implications
Despite the mounting evidence of political persecution and human rights violations, international response has been muted. Some regional bodies, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have previously imposed sanctions on Mali, but these were later lifted following partial reforms.
Observers now fear that the junta’s consolidation of power could inspire similar authoritarian moves in neighboring Sahel states, many of which are grappling with their own political instability and insurgencies.
“What we’re seeing in Mali is a cautionary tale for the region,” said a political analyst based in Dakar. “Without decisive international pressure, this sets a dangerous precedent for military regimes across West Africa.”
Looking Ahead: What Next for Mali?
With political parties banned, opposition figures missing, and elections nowhere in sight, Mali’s democratic future remains in serious jeopardy. The junta’s actions have effectively closed all avenues for peaceful political participation, increasing the likelihood of further unrest or underground resistance movements.
As of now, the fate of dozens of political detainees remains unclear, and the full extent of the government’s clampdown may yet be revealed.
Africalivenews will continue to monitor developments in Mali and provide updates as more information becomes available.
