The United States is “deeply concerned” about the recent action taken by the transition government in Mali. On April 10 the government issued a decree suspending all political parties and associations and banned the media from reporting on political activity.
The decree is the latest blow to the democratic aspirations of the people of the strife-torn nation in West Africa. After decades of dictatorial rule, in the 1990’s Mali began making strides in building up democratic institutions, but the country suffered a series of military coups, as well as a brutal insurgency that continues in the north.
In June 2021, Col Assimi Goita, one of the military leaders of a coup that took place in 2020, was sworn in as president of the transitional government. That government pledged to return the country to democratic rule in March 2024, after elections in February 2024. However, in September 2023, the transitional government cancelled those elections “indefinitely” citing technical difficulties. Now, in the interests of public order, the government claims no election can be held and political activity and reporting on political matters must stop.
“We are deeply concerned about the Malian transition government’s decree suspending all political activities until further notice,” said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller:
“Freedom of expression and freedom of association are critical to an open society. The transition government has already made a decision not to hold an election in February 2024 to return to a civilian-led, democratic government, despite the commitment that it made publicly in 2022 to do so. We call on Maili’s transition government to honor its commitment to its citizens and hold free and fair elections.”
“In Mali and elsewhere,” Spokesperson Miller declared, “democracy remains the best foundation for stability and prosperity.”
