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 that dissolving political parties would directly contradict the 2023 transitional constitution, which explicitly guarantees their right to form and operate freely under legal conditions. Moreover, such an action would clash with Mali’s international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which the country has ratified.
Key events leading to the crisis
Since 2024, the military-led authorities in Mali have escalated repression against political parties. Between April 10 and July 10, 2024, decrees were issued to suspend all political party activities and political content in media. Multiple parties had demanded compliance with the Transition Charter and the resumption of elections to restore constitutional order.
The national dialogue convened in May 2024—widely boycotted by political parties—proposed extending the transition period until the country stabilizes. It also suggested tightening the criteria for forming political parties and eliminating their public funding.
In June 2024, eleven opposition party leaders were arrested and charged with conspiring against state authority and opposing legitimate authority. They were granted provisional release in December 2024.
