Mali’s military leader, Gen. Assimi Goita, has suspended all activities of political parties in the West African nation, effective Wednesday.
A presidential decree, broadcast on national television, stated that the suspension of political parties, associations, and organizations would last “until further notice for reasons of public order.”
This decision comes as political parties were preparing to stage a demonstration in Bamako on Friday.
The planned protest aimed to demand a transition from the current military rule to a constitutional order and to oppose a proposal that sought to dissolve political parties altogether.
Mali has been under military rule following coups in 2020 and 2021.
In June 2022, the military administration had pledged to hold elections and return power to civilian rule by the end of March 2024.
However, this timeline was later postponed indefinitely.
Military authorities had previously suspended political activities in April of last year, but that suspension was lifted in July.
Notably, Mali, along with the military-led governments of Burkina Faso and Niger, established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023.
This treaty aimed to strengthen political, economic, and security ties among the three West African nations.
The AES has recently taken significant steps to reshape its international affiliations, including recent withdrawals from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).