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

B100294/2025

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

(2025/2754(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure”,

whereas the military has ruled the country since the 2020 coup that brought the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, to power;

whereas civilian leadership was removed and promised elections were suspended without providing an alternative timeline;

whereas a promise to hand over power by the military in March 2024 was not kept, and the regime suggested proclaiming the general president of the Republic for a five-year, renewable term, without going to the polls;

whereas in early May 2025, opposition groups and protestors tried to take to the streets to oppose the slide towards an authoritarian regime;

whereas on 13 May 2025, Mali military authorities dissolved political parties and repealed laws protecting political participation;

whereas the pattern of enforced disappearances dating back to at least 2021 has expanded with recent abductions and arrests of opposition members;

whereas the military junta has intensified its repression of the political opposition and civil liberties;

whereas on 11 June 2025, Council of Ministers adopted a bill granting a five-year renewable mandate to the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, without an election.

Expresses deep concern at the alarming political and security situation in Mali, including significant increase in documented human rights violations and abuses since 2024, which are now compounded by additional recent restrictions on political rights;

Deplores recent Malian authorities’ actions undermining democracy, human rights, freedom of expression and association, and peaceful assembly;

Urges the Malian authorities to respect international law and signed commitments, thus enabling their citizens to fully enjoy their political and civil rights guaranteed in international human rights law;

Recalls the transitional president’s instruction to the Cabinet in November 2024 to create conditions for transparent and peaceful elections;

Urges the transitional authorities to fully restore political rights in the country by revoking the Council of Ministers’ decision of 11 June 2025 and setting an election schedule without delay;

Calls on the transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, to reverse the decree dissolving all political parties and restore laws protecting political participation;

Urges the authorities to immediately release those arrested or abducted for political reasons, and to end repression of opposition members and activists;

Calls for ensuring accountability for rights’ violations and abuses;

Calls on the Commission and the EU Delegation to Mali to engage deeply in helping to restore democracy, including by strengthening the oversight capacity of the National Assembly, supporting civil society and local democratic actors, and ensuring that human rights are at the forefront of our support under the renewed approach to the Sahel region;

Calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to raise the urgent need to restore democratic order and protect human rights in their engagement with the Malian authorities;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, Mali’s transitional president, and National Assembly.