Mali dissolves all political parties after opposition figures ‘arrested’

Mali’s military government has dissolved all political parties. This follows accusations from rights groups about the arrest of opposition figures. Assimi Goita, who took power in two coups, confirmed this decision on Tuesday.

The disbanding came after protests demanding a return to democracy. On May 3 and 4, protesters carried signs saying, “Down with dictatorship, long live democracy.” This was a rare public criticism of the military government. The government had promised elections in 2022.

In April, a national conference suggested extending Goita’s presidency until 2030. This recommendation faced backlash from opposition leaders and human rights groups. In response to another planned protest on Friday, the military suspended all political activities nationwide. This forced opposition groups to cancel their demonstration.

The government's actions have intensified its control over the country. Reports have emerged about disappearances of opposition figures. Human rights organizations claim several politicians have gone missing recently.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch reported that Abba Alhassane was “arrested” by masked gunmen. That same day, El Bachir Thiam was reportedly taken by unidentified men in Kati, near the capital. A CODEM member told Reuters they lost contact with youth leader Abdoul Karim Traore and feared he had been abducted.

Malian authorities have not commented on these arrests. Goita first seized power in August 2020 amid rising attacks from armed groups linked to ISIL and al-Qaeda's regional affiliate JNIM. In July 2020, protests against the civilian government were violently suppressed; at least 14 people died during this crackdown.

The military justified its takeover by citing failures to combat armed groups effectively. In December last year, HRW reported that Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group fighters killed at least 32 civilians and burned over 100 homes in central and northern Mali.