A coalition of approximately one hundred political parties in Mali has accused the ruling junta of plotting to dissolve them.
This rare unified statement from the opposition was delivered to the media in Bamako on Saturday.
The junta, which has suppressed dissenting voices since seizing power in coups in 2020 and 2021, has already cancelled a meeting scheduled by the coalition for Sunday.
Ongoing talks overseen by the authorities include a proposal to dissolve existing political groups, potentially leaving only a few pro-junta parties.
These reforms stem from a junta-led national consultation in late 2022. The coalition, excluded from these discussions, denounced them as a “pseudo-concertation.”
Their news conference proceeded under heavy police presence.
The ruling junta previously failed to meet a commitment for a return to civilian rule by March 2024 and has postponed presidential elections indefinitely.
The junta also suspended political activities for several months in 2024, citing risks of “subversion.”
Consultations boycotted by major parties in May 2024 suggested the military should remain in power for an additional two to five years and proposed the current junta leader as a presidential candidate.