What changed

B100291/2025

B100293/2025

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

(2025/2751(RSP))

(2025/2754(RSP))

– having regard to RulesRule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Colonel Assimi Goïta seized power in military coups in August 2020 and May 2021, and repeatedly delayed the expected democratic transition until a junta-led “national dialogue” in April 2025 proposed extending it indefinitely and dissolving political parties, sparking national and international alarm over the consolidation of authoritarian rule;

– having regard to its previous human rights resolutions on Mali,

whereasWhereas on 13 May 2025, Mali’s transitional authorities issued a decree on 13 May dissolving all political parties and organisations, repealing Mali’s party charter and opposition law, criminalising opposition activities and erasing the legal basis forbanning political participation; whereas on 11 June 2025, the Council of Ministers granted General Goïta a renewable five-year term;activities;

whereas Malian civil society, opposition leaders , the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the African Union and ECOWAS denounced the move as unconstitutional and illegitimate, and hundreds of citizens protested in Bamako in early May in defence of democratic rights;

Whereas this provoked protests in several cities and followed a national consultation process whose legitimacy was highly disputed by several political and civil actors;

whereas several opposition leaders have been arbitrarily arrested or forcibly disappeared ; whereas journalist harassment and media repression continue, with international broadcasters banned and local outlets shut down, further eroding civic space;

Whereas recent months have seen arrests and disappearances of political figures and activists;

whereas since 2021 the junta relied on Wagner mercenaries to bolster its power; whereas numerous massacres and acts of torture have been perpetrated by both forces against civilians, especially from the peul and touareg communities; whereas Wagner announced on 5 June 2025 its departure and forthcoming replacement by AfricaCorps, amidst significant military advances by terrorist group JNIM;

Whereas on 11 June 2025, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft law allowing for the appointment of the transitional president to a renewable five-year term;

whereas Mali is home to an acute humanitarian crisis, with over 378 000 internally displaced persons and 1.5 million people needing emergency food assistance;

Whereas several media outlets, including RFI and France 24, have been suspended from broadcasting in Mali;

Strongly condemns the 13 May 2025 decree dissolving all political parties in Mali and the broader crackdown on political opposition, civil society, and media;

Whereas the country continues to face persistent attacks from armed jihadist groups, particularly in the north and centre, with significant civilian and military casualties;

Calls on transitional authorities to immediately repeal the decree, restore the legal status of political parties and ensure full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of association, expression, press and peaceful assembly;

Whereas large parts of Malian territory are now beyond effective government control, and humanitarian access is increasingly limited;

Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained for political reasons, and urges the junta to cease all acts of repression and intimidation and guarantee the safety of political leaders, civil society actors, and journalists;

Whereas violence, political and economic instability in Mali contribute to migratory movements towards neighbouring countries, North Africa, and the European Union; whereas a further destabilization of the Sahel could have catastrophic migratory impact for Europe;

Calls for a credible, inclusive, and time-bound roadmap for restoring the constitutional order and holding free and fair elections without further delay or manipulation;

Expresses deep concern over the deterioration of democratic governance in Mali, including the suspension of political parties and shrinking space for opposition voices;

Notes that the junta’s reliance on Russian military and political support has not permitted the Malian Armed Forces to regain control over the entire national territory and led to terrorist groups currently holding their strongest position since the beginning of the conflict;

Stresses the importance of restoring political dialogue and constitutional order in consultation with all stakeholders;

Calls on the EU, its Member States, and international partners to recalibrate their engagement with Mali and the wider Sahel region, consider targeted restrictive measures if repression persists, and increase support for civil society and pro-democracy actors;

Calls for the protection of civil liberties, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as essential to both national reconciliation and long-term stability;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Malian transitional authorities, the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the African Union and ECOWAS.

Condemns in the strongest terms the continued wave of terrorist attacks perpetrated by jihadist groups across Mali, whose operations have severely destabilised the country and led to the de facto loss of state control over vast regions of national territory; stresses the urgent need for a coordinated response to restore security and protect civilian populations;

Recalls that France, alongside several European partners, has been engaged in Mali until 2022 to support regional security and that 53 French soldiers gave their lives to defend the region against the Islamist threat;

Denounces the rise of hostile anti-Western rhetoric promoted by segments of the transitional authorities and certain media outlets, which fuels misinformation, undermines long-standing diplomatic ties and distracts the population from Mali’s internal challenges;

Expresses serious concern over the growing irregular migration flows from Mali towards Europe, fuelled by growing insecurity, political instability and economic stagnation; calls on the Malian authorities to take full responsibility for preventing uncontrolled departures and urges the EU to strengthen return policies and migration control cooperation with Mali and transit countries;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations, and the transitional authorities in Mali.