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

B100291/2025

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

(2025/2751(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rules 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;

whereas 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 for political participation; whereas on 11 June 2025, the Council of Ministers granted General Goïta a renewable five-year term;

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

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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