“Long live democracy, down with dictatorship!” echoed through the streets of Bamako on May 3rd at the Palais de la Culture, where hundreds gathered in response to a coalition of political parties. This unprecedented mobilization comes amid growing concerns about a potential authoritarian shift under the leadership of military ruler General Assimi Goïta.

Protesters, armed with signs and banners, demanded immediate elections and the preservation of fundamental freedoms. Security forces maintained a visible presence but no incidents were reported during the event, which was widely covered on social media platforms.

intensifying political repression

On April 30th, the authorities repealed the law governing political parties—a move widely interpreted as a precursor to their outright dissolution. This decision followed a junta-organized consultation that was largely boycotted by opposition parties.

The resulting recommendations went even further: they proposed eliminating political parties entirely and extending General Goïta’s presidential term to five years, renewable, without elections.

The final decision now rests with Assimi Goïta, who has led Mali since the 2020 and 2021 coups.

democracy under threat

This protest represents one of the few public acts of defiance against the military regime since 2021. Since seizing power, authorities have intensified crackdowns on opposition figures, dissolved civil organizations, and restricted press freedoms.

Yet the 1992 Malian Constitution—and the new Fundamental Law enacted in 2023—explicitly guarantee multiparty democracy, freedom of expression, and the right to association.

Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, has withdrawn from ECOWAS, which it accuses of being too aligned with France. Together, these nations have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), strengthening ties among West Africa’s military-led governments.