DAKAR, Senegal: Mali’s ruling junta has banned a rare new opposition coalition from operating in Bamako, according to an official decree issued on Monday.
The country has been under military rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021, and the security situation has worsened due to humanitarian and political crises.
The coalition, called “Action Synergy for Mali”, was formed in February and consists of 30 opposition parties, including supporters of the influential 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 from the capital’s governor Abdoulaye Coulibaly.
The group strongly criticizes the military regime and proposed “a new way” for the people of Mali, who have seen their country destroyed by various groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group since 2012.
People’s expectations are far from being met, the coalition said.
The governor pointed to “multiple actions” by the coalition, saying they were violations of current regulations.
In mid-March, the UN expressed its deep concern over the disbanding of civil society organizations and increasing restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the African country.
At least four organizations have been dissolved since December 2023, including groups related to good governance, elections and opposition parties, a UN spokesman said in a statement.
