A court in Bamako has suspended the transitional authorities’ decision to dissolve all political parties and organizations, temporarily restoring their legal status while legal proceedings continue.
The High Court of Commune 1 ordered a stay of execution on August 25, following a challenge by party lawyers to the May 13 decree that banned political activity nationwide.
The suspension marks a setback for the junta, which had justified the dissolution as part of reforms aimed at restructuring Mali’s political system.
The case has now been referred to the Supreme Court, with the possibility of transmission to the Constitutional Court to determine compliance with the 2023 Constitution.
The ruling comes amid mounting criticism at home and abroad over restrictions on political freedoms and growing concentration of power in the hands of the military-led transitional authorities.
Several related cases are still before other Bamako courts, while lawyers have also initiated proceedings against members of the National Transitional Council.
Authorities insist the dissolution was in line with the 2021 national conference recommendations and have pledged to draft a new political party law in consultation with stakeholders in the coming months.
