The African Union (AU) has condemned the suspension of political activities in Mali by the military junta. 

On Wednesday, the military junta issued a decree suspending, until further notice, all activities by political parties and groups on the grounds of “maintaining public order”.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Moussa Mahamat, chairman of AU, expressed “great concern” over the decree, asking the Malian authorities to provide a post-coup transition roadmap to return the country to democratic rule.

“The President of the Commission expresses his serious concern about this suspension which is likely to hinder the implementation of an inclusive transition process in the country,” the statement reads.

“The President of the Commission strongly underlines the right to citizen, religious and political participation as a fundamental right and calls on the transitional authorities to reconsider the said decision and to work on a road map aimed at completing the transition process in course.”

Mahamat reaffirms the AU’s continued support to the Malian people, saying the organisation is desirous to “work with the transitional authorities and all Malian stakeholders to restore constitutional order, within the prescribed deadlines, with a view to promoting lasting peace, stability and development in Mali”.

The West African country has been under military rule since the coup in 2020 that ousted Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

In September 2023, the ruling military junta postponed the country’s presidential election earlier scheduled for February 2024.

The military government is yet to announce a new date for the election.

In February, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lifted some sanctions imposed on Mali, Niger Republic, and Burkina Faso — member nations that are ruled by the military.

[TheCable]