Military authorities in Mali have reeled out a decree suspending political party activities until further notice. Government spokesperson Abdoulaye Maiga announced in a statement on state television on Wednesday evening.
Aside from political activities, all other activities and “associations of a political nature” are also suspended indefinitely to maintain public order, the statement said.
The government had earlier postponed the elections previously scheduled for February without fixing another date. The decision triggered outrage among political groups.
The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup had promised to restore civilian rule on March 26, 2024, after the now postponed February elections.
The country has been under military rule since August 2020.
The political parties responded to the government’s decision by issuing a joint statement vowing ” to use all legal and legitimate avenues for the return of normal constitutional order in our country”.