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

B100293/2025

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

(2025/2754(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

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

Whereas on 13 May 2025, Mali’s transitional authorities issued a decree dissolving all political parties and banning political activities;

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

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

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

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

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;

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

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

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

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.