The military authorities in Mali have dissolved all political parties and repealed laws protecting political participation, drawing sharp condemnation from the UN's top human rights official on Friday.
Volker Türk on Friday called the decree "draconian" and urged Mali's Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, to reverse the decree issued earlier this week.
Signed on 13 May, the decree dissolves all political parties and "organizations of a political nature" nationwide. It was preceded by the repeal of legislation that had safeguarded political participation.
"Any restrictions of political participation must be consistent with Mali's international human rights law obligations," High Commissioner for Human Rights Türk said.
He urged the transitional authorities to release those who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds and to fully restore political rights in the country.
Erosion of civic space
The clampdown comes amid a broader erosion of civic space in Mali since the military seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021.
According to media reports, the government's move was read out on state television on Tuesday and cited the need to curb the "proliferation" of political parties.
At least three opposition members were reportedly arrested following protests against the decree, with their whereabouts currently unknown - part of what Mr. Türk described as a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances dating back to at least 2021.
A group of UN independent rights experts also condemned the developments in a separate statement last week, warning that the decree and accompanying legislation represent "a direct violation of basic human rights."
Elections in question
The experts - who are independent of the UN and serve in their personal capacity - criticised the transitional authorities for using the 2021 national consultations, the Assises Nationales de la Refondation and April 2025 consultation on review of the Charter of Political Parties, as justification for authoritarian measures.
Several political parties boycotted those consultations, citing fears they were being used as a pretext to dismantle political opposition.
Among the recommendations emerging from those meetings, the Council of Ministers reportedly discussed naming Gen. Goïta as president for a renewable five-year term - without holding elections.
The UN has urged the transitional authorities to refrain from extending the transition period again and to publish an electoral timetable without delay.
High Commissioner Türk recalled Gen. Goïta's instructions to the Cabinet of Ministers in November 2024 to create conditions for "transparent and peaceful elections," a promise that now appears increasingly hollow.
Spiralling security situation
Beyond political repression, Mali is grappling with worsening security conditions following the closure of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA , at the end of 2023.
According to credible information received by the UN rights office, OHCHR , violations and abuses increased by nearly 120 per cent between 2023 and 2024.
The withdrawal of French forces and the European Union Training Mission in Mali in 2022 also contributed to the deteriorating security situation across the West African landlocked country.
Civilians across the country continue to face deadly attacks - including killings, abduction, and sexual and gender-based violence - by extremist groups including Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State - Sahel Province.
Government forces, allegedly accompanied by foreign military personnel widely referred to either as "Africa Corps" or "Wagner," have also been accused of serious abuses. Last month, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in the southwestern Kayes region after being detained by Malian forces and foreign partners.
Bring perpetrators to justice
Mr. Türk underscored the need to ensure accountability for rights violations and abuses.
The multiple investigations announced by the Malian authorities into these killings must be prompt, impartial and meet international standards, he said, "with a view to ensuring victims' rights to truth, justice and reparations."
