The United Nations is pressing Mali’s transitional military government to immediately reverse its recent ban on political parties, calling the action a serious blow to democracy and civil rights.
The call comes from UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who described the move as harsh and dangerous for the country’s future.
Mali’s military leadership issued the ban this week, effectively dissolving all political parties and associations in the country. The decree has drawn swift international backlash, coming just months after over a hundred parties formed a coalition to challenge the ruling junta. The UN says the measure directly violates Mali’s international commitments and strips citizens of their right to participate in the political process.
The ban follows a pattern of shrinking civic space since the military seized power in two coups in 2020 and 2021. Since then, Mali has been under military rule with promises of a return to democracy repeatedly delayed. The recent rise in opposition organizing appears to have triggered this latest crackdown, which the UN says undermines any progress toward a peaceful political transition.
Concerns are also growing over the government’s response to dissent. According to the UN, at least three opposition figures have recently gone missing after taking part in protests. Authorities have not confirmed their whereabouts, adding to a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances in the country that dates back several years.
In its latest statement, the UN urged Mali to stop using force to silence critics and to protect basic rights such as freedom of speech, peaceful protest, and political participation. Türk called on authorities to release all those detained for political reasons and to stop targeting opposition groups.
The political crisis is unfolding alongside rising violence in many parts of Mali. The UN has documented a sharp increase in human rights abuses, with reported violations more than doubling over the past year. These include reports of extrajudicial killings carried out by Malian troops, allegedly assisted by foreign mercenaries connected to Russia’s Wagner Group, now operating under a new name, “Africa Corps.”
One particularly troubling incident happened recently in the town of Sebagougou, where dozens of civilians were said to have been detained and later executed by joint Malian and foreign forces. The UN is demanding thorough investigations into such cases and insisting that those responsible face justice in fair and transparent trials.
Victims and their families, the UN added, must be given access to justice and proper compensation. Türk stressed that accountability is critical not only for healing but for restoring trust in public institutions. He warned that without these steps, Mali risks falling deeper into repression and instability.
As international pressure mounts, the future of democracy in Mali hangs in the balance. The world is now watching how its leaders will respond.