Malian parties reject junta's suspension of political activities

12/4/2024 13:02

        Malian political parties and civil society groups jointly rejected on Thursday the ruling junta's order to suspend political activities and vowed to mount a legal challenge to what one opposition politician called the "dictatorial" move.
        
        The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020. Tensions have risen in recent weeks, leading major parties and other organisations jointly to call out the junta on March 31 for not scheduling elections within the promised time frame.
        
        The authorities issued a decree on Wednesday suspending until further notice all activities by political parties and groups on the grounds of maintaining public order.
        
        Joining forces again, the parties and civil society groups said they were astonished by the decision and called it a "serious violation ... of democratic freedoms."
        
        The signatories to the declaration said they rejected the decree and would challenge it in court and refuse to participate in any government activity, including ongoing national talks.