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

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))

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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.