An alliance of political parties and civil society groups in junta-led Mali has raised alarm after several of their leaders were arrested during a private meeting. The incident occurred at the house of a former minister, and the alliance is demanding their prompt release. Mali, which has been under military rule since a coup in 2020, recently issued a decree restricting political life in the name of maintaining public order.
The Arrests
The exact number of detainees remains undisclosed, but Boubacar Toure, a representative of one of the parties, confirmed that 11 people were arrested during the private gathering. Most of those detained were political leaders. In a joint statement, the political parties and civil society groups accused the authorities of pursuing “a path to dictatorship” with the sole aim of staying in power and silencing democratic voices.
The Context
Mali’s ruling junta had previously suspended all activities by political parties and “associations of a political nature” after these groups criticized the authorities for failing to schedule elections within the promised time frame. The political parties appealed to the Malian Supreme Court, but the court’s response timeline remains uncertain. The location of the recent gathering was shared via a WhatsApp group for activists and political party members, emphasizing the importance of such opportunities for discussing essential questions.
The Impact
The arbitrary arrests have created fear among citizens, discouraging activists and association members from speaking out against government actions. However, despite the suspension of political parties, Malians continue to engage in political discussions, demonstrating resilience and determination to address critical issues.
