The authorities of Mali, dominated by the military, announced on Wednesday April 17 the dissolution of a movement critical of them, which they accuse of “acts likely to disturb public order and undermine national unity”, according to a press release from the Council of Ministers.
“The coordination of organizations of the February 20 Appeal to save Mali” is made up of parties and civil society organizations such as the Coordination of Movements, Associations and Sympathizers of the Influential Imam Mahmoud Dicko (CMAS), dissolved also at the beginning of March. It “constantly distinguishes itself by ostentatious actions likely to disturb public order, to undermine the sovereignty of the State and national unity” and therefore “is dissolved”, affirms the government in the press release from the council of ministers.
The texts in force in Mali impose “limits” which must not be crossed, “in particular the prohibition on political parties from forming groupings in the form of associations and on associations from adopting actions contrary to the principles of national sovereignty, of democracy, the integrity of the national territory, national unity and the secularism of the State”, he underlines.
A new turn of the screw
For Cheick Mohamed Chérif Koné, general coordinator of L’Appel du 20 February, who spoke on social networks, “public order worthy of respect is the only republican order, everything except the goodwill of a few armed colonels . This is the order that we have always defended (…). These unprecedented hostilities, increasingly increased against political parties and associations, in desperation, will be in vain in the face of the determination of our people to live in democracy and in the republican form of the State.
The junta in Mali has taken a new turn of the screw in recent days, resulting in the suspension of the activities of political parties and associations and the ban on the media from covering their activities. These restrictions come after the military failed to meet its commitments to hold a presidential election in February before giving way.
Since 2012, Mali has been plagued by the spread of jihadists and a serious crisis, not only security, but also political and humanitarian. The colonels who took power by force in 2020 have made a strategic reorientation, breaking the old alliance with France and turning militarily and politically towards Russia.
