Mali’s military junta announced Wednesday it will permit political parties and associations to resume operations, lifting a three-month suspension purportedly imposed to maintain public order.
The council of ministers’ declaration comes after political activities were halted amid protests by parties against the military government’s decision to extend its rule beyond a March 2024 deadline for transitioning to civilian governance.
The suspension in April was announced shortly before the commencement of a national peace dialogue in Mali, where authorities have been combating a jihadist insurgency for more than a decade.
Military leaders, who seized power in 2020, defended the suspension, citing concerns that political parties could disrupt discussions about the country’s political trajectory.
Despite a boycott of the dialogue by major political parties and what remains of the opposition, supporters of the regime participated in the discussions.
In May, the dialogue recommended that the military retain power for “two to five additional years” and endorsed the junta’s leader to potentially contest future presidential elections.
During the past two years, the junta has shifted away from its historical alliance with France and other European partners, aligning more closely with Russia both militarily and politically.
Additionally, Mali expelled the UN peacekeeping mission, Minusma, deployed to assist in stabilizing the northern regions, where government forces are battling Islamist insurgents.
