What changed

on dissolution of political parties and the crackdown on the opposition in Mali

B100292/2025

B100281/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the dissolution of political parties and the crackdown on the opposition in Mali

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on dissolution of political parties and the crackdown on the opposition in Mali

(2025/2754(RSP))

- having regard to Rule 150(5)150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas the Military Junta, in power for five years, has recently dissolved all political parties and organizations and banned political gatherings; whereas it came after opposition groups and human rights organizations condemned the National Conference's recommendation to extend President Goïta's term until 2030; whereas political parties had called on the authorities to respect the Transition Charter and organize elections;

- having regard to Article 25 (3) of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,

whereas these measures are part of a broader trend of restrictions on civic space, including the arrest of opposition figures; whereas since 2024 the military authorities have intensified repression; whereas between April and July 2024, the authorities suspended the activities of political parties and political associations;

A. whereas on 13 May 2025, the military transitional authority in Mali decreed the dissolution of all political parties; whereas the decree was signed by military leader General Assimi Goïta, who seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021 and is due to stay in power for at least another five years despite pledges to hold elections;

whereas the constitution enacted in 2023 by the transitional authorities, guarantees the existence of political parties and asserts their right to ‘form and operate freely under the conditions determined by law’;

B. whereas conflict and violence have been a chronic issue for Mali, even prior to its transition to democracy in 1992-1993; whereas conflicts involving Islamist terrorists and separatist armed groups have caused mass population displacements, refugee movements and political instability; whereas, in addition to conflict, Mali’s economy is characterised by rising inflation and stagnant production;

Supports the aspirations of the Malian people for democracy and changes and strongly rejects the repression of demonstrators and the crackdown on the opposition;

C. whereas before the coups, Mali’s democracy was characterised by a persistent very low voter turnout, poor governance practices, weak legislatures, high corruption, and a growing gap between political elites and the population; whereas the ability of democratic elections to function as a mechanism for democracy in Mali was weak;

Condemns the dissolution of the political parties and the suspension of political gatherings; highlights that these measures odd with the constitution and are incompatible with Mali’s international human rights obligations including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;

D. whereas the central Sahel region remains strategically important for the EU given its geographical proximity to Europe and its role as a transit zone for illegal migrants and illicit drugs;

Calls on the transitional authorities to refrain from extending the transition period again and to organise credible, free, and fair elections;

E. whereas Mali belonged to the top ten countries of origin of illegal migrants arriving in the EU via the western African and western and central Mediterranean routes in the period 2016-2023;

Invites to the Malian transitional authorities to engage in peaceful and truly inclusive dialogue with all actors involved in legal reform processes;

1. Encourages the military transitional authority to restart dialogue with the main political forces to confront the multiple economic and social challenges; calls on the African Union (AU) to engage with the local authorities despite the suspension of Mali’s AU membership;

Requests to the transitional authorities, to end the escalating crackdown on civic space and to allow the full exercise of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association and the media, as well as the right to participate in public affairs, including by ceasing the harassment of critical media, journalists and peaceful dissents; urges them to release those who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds;

2. Calls on the EU to reconnect with the military rulers in Mali in order to tackle the challenges in Mali and its root causes; considers that in defining the scope of engagement with Mali, the EU should elaborate an approach that recognises the interests and values of each side;

Denounces the presence of the Wagner Group and the Africa Corps and urges to hold them accountable as well as members of the Malian security forces, for their abuses against civilians;

3. Emphasises that tackling the challenges in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso is essential in order to prevent a spillover of instability from the central Sahel to neighbouring states;

Notes the growing rejection of the former colonial power and of European diplomacy on the continent without ignoring attempts to manipulate information by third parties including Russia; insists that the only way to regain the confidence of citizens is to replace relations of domination at military, economic, monetary and political level with relations of equals, respecting international law and the principles of non-interference in internal affairs;

4. Is worried that the continuing political, security and economic crisis in Mali, combined with the very high population growth, will continue to fuel mass emigration;

Condemns the economic, social and political interference implemented through the Structural Adjustment Plans of the World Bank and the IMF; reminds that making assistance contingent on general spending cuts have undermined Malian people’s economic, social and cultural rights; calls on the IMF and World Bank to cancel the external debt of African countries;

5. Considers that the massive flows of development aid to Mali during decades created an aid dependency that also contributed to undermining Malian democracy;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EUCouncil, institutions,the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the African Union and the Malianmilitary authorities.authority of Mali.