Mali’s ruling junta has banned the activities of a rare new opposition coalition in Bamako citing “threats of disturbance to public order,” according to an official statement on Tuesday.
Since successive coups in 2020 and 2021, the nation has been governed by military rule, further exacerbated by a humanitarian and political crisis.
In February, the “Action Synergy for Mali” coalition was formed, comprising 30 opposition parties, including backers of prominent imam Mahmoud Dicko.
“Due to the security situation and the risk of threats to public order, the activities of the ‘Action Synergy for Mali’ group are formally banned throughout the entire district of Bamako,” said a decree dated on Monday from the capital’s governor Abdoulaye Coulibaly.
The coalition rejected the ban, describing it as an “illegitimate and illegal decision that violates the freedom of association and expression guaranteed by the constitution.”
The group is highly critical of the junta and has proposed “a new way” for Malians who have seen the country ravaged by different groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group since 2012.
“Expectations of the people were far from being met,” the coalition has said.
The governor pointed to “multiple actions” by the coalition that he said were in “violation of current regulations.”
In mid-March, the United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” by the dissolution of civil society organisations and “increasing restrictions” on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Mali.
At least four organisations have been dissolved since December 2023, including groups relating to good governance, elections and opposition, a UN spokesperson said in a statement.
