What changed

B100292/2025

B100297/2025

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

(2025/2754(RSP))

- having regard to RuleRules 150150(5) (5)and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

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

whereas Mali has been under military rule since coups in 2020 and 2021; whereas the military junta under interim-President General Goita had cancelled the previously announced February 2022 elections;

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 on 13 May 2025 the military government announced a ban of all political parties and political organisations; whereas already beforehand the junta brutally beat down a number of pro-democracy activists who were protesting against these new measures; whereas numerous opposition figures and civil society actors are imprisoned and face severe repressions;

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;

whereas on 11 June 2025 the Malian Council of Ministers adopted a bill authorising a five-year renewable presidential term for General Goïta without setting any timetable for elections;

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;

whereas Al Qaida-affiliate Islamist terrorist groups have been killing civilians, including many Christians, and destroying villages in rebel-held regions for years;

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;

whereas after the suspension of the EU’s military support and the closure of the EUTM (European Union Training Mission) Mali the Russian sponsored Wagner Group has failed to pacify the country and fight terrorism; whereas the Wagner Group has been the culprit of numerous severe human rights violations, including killing of innocent civilians;

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;

whereas Mali is among the countries most negatively affected by Russia’s disinformation campaigns;

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;

whereas for 2021-2024, the EU committed an estimated envelope of 403,8 million euro for cooperation with Mali;

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;

Is alarmed by the further deterioration of the domestic situation and the total shrinking of public and civic space and in this light strongly condemns the dissolution of political parties and organisations and the crackdown on the opposition in Mali;

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;

Urges the rapid organisation of elections and strongly criticises that despite its initial promises the military junta has given up all efforts to lead a transition towards a civilian government and inclusive elections;

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;

Underlines the EU’s clear support for a multiparty democratic system and thus urges the Malian authorities to quickly reverse their policies and initiate a true domestic reform in order to properly achieve a political system which represents the true wishes and aspirations of the Malian people;

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

Reiterates its serious concern over the humanitarian and security situation and calls for the immediate release of all those imprisoned in the wake of recent protests;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, 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 military authority of Mali.

Notes with regret that the country is still plagued by violence and Islamist terrorism; appeals to the Malian government’s primary responsibility to protect its population and ensure peace and stability in the country;

Supports the efforts of the EU Special Representative for the Sahel to engage with relevant actors in the region in order to among others advance the human rights situations on the ground;

Recalls that the Russian sponsored Wagner Group has failed to bring stability, but has committed a number of severe human rights violations against the Malian population;

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