Category: Politics

Why dissolving Mali’s political parties is a dangerous step Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office for West and Central Africa, has strongly criticized a proposal to dissolve all political parties in Mali following consultations on revisions to the Political Parties Charter. He warns that such a move would blatantly violate fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and association. Diallo urges authorities to halt the growing crackdown on civic space and uphold the human rights of all citizens—especially critics, human rights defenders, and opposition members. He emphasizes…

The Sahel region is facing a troubling shift as military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger tighten their grip on power, each sharing a dangerous disregard for accountability. These regimes share three critical—and concerning—commonalities. First, they are all governed by unelected military leadership. Second, they are notorious for committing severe human rights violations, including widespread civilian atrocities in conflict zones, alongside systematic suppression of civil and political freedoms. Third, they have collectively withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). While this final point may seem unrelated…

The military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are facing deepening crises of legitimacy as they resort to widespread repression, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on freedoms. This crackdown has left human rights defenders and journalists in a precarious position, struggling to operate under mounting pressure. why repression fails to hide systemic failures Alioune Tine, President of Afrikajom Center, highlights the growing difficulties faced by these regimes. ‘’The reality today is that Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s regime in Burkina Faso, and its counterparts in Mali and Niger, are trapped in a…

The escalating political turmoil in Niger, coupled with the looming prospect of military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) against the Nigerien putschists, has deeply troubled Bénin’s opposition party, “Les Démocrates”. In a press release issued on Saturday, August 5, 2023, Eric Houndété, the party’s president, asserted that the military coup in Niger not only propels this neighboring nation into a precarious situation but also “attracts opportunistic individuals accustomed to exploiting such crises.” “Les Démocrates” unequivocally “condemns any seizure of power by force, irrespective of its…

A significant constitutional amendment, swiftly enacted on November 1st, introduces a “presidential ticket” system for Benin. This new framework mandates the simultaneous election of both the President of the Republic and a Vice-President, requiring an absolute majority of votes over two electoral rounds. Further provisions within the revised constitution include the abolition of the death penalty and the establishment of a dedicated Court of Accounts. Additionally, it enshrines the principle of affirmative action to promote female representation in electoral processes. Legislative terms for members of parliament are now capped at…

The interpretation of a coup d’état frequently shifts based on the perceived interests and goodwill of the international community, often endorsed by neighboring states. In Burkina Faso, the appointment of Transitional President Michel Kafando was deemed unconstitutional, setting the stage for the nation to operate with newly established institutions for at least a year. Like a complex construction set, the provisional institutions of the transition have been gradually falling into place. Following the dramatic departure of Blaise Compaoré, the ‘Sphinx of Kosyam,’ and the subsequent appearance of military uniforms on…