Mali: Political parties fear marginalization in the face of consultations announced by the transition
Growing concern over rereading of party charter
In Mali , around a hundred political parties , including the country’s main parties, expressed their deep concern at a press conference organized on April 15, 2025 by the Initiative of Political Parties for the Charter (Ipac) . In the spotlight: the transitional government ‘s announcement of the launch of a national consultation of “active forces” on a possible review of the political parties’ charter .
These consultations are scheduled to begin on April 16 in the regions and conclude on April 29 at the national level . However, many parties fear that this is, in reality, a pretext to prepare their dissolution or a suspension of their activities .
A strong statement and a call for dialogue
At the conference, former minister Oumar Ibrahima Touré read out the joint declaration signed by 101 parties . The text highlights persistent rumors that the regime intends to eliminate or freeze the role of political parties in Mali’s institutional landscape.
The signatories recall that Article 39 of the Constitution adopted in 2023 explicitly guarantees the right of parties to exist and operate freely , in compliance with the laws in force.
Parties request postponement of consultations
Faced with this situation, the parties have formulated two clear demands:
- An urgent audience with the transitional Prime Minister , General Abdoulaye Maïga
- The immediate postponement of the announced consultations
They insist on their commitment to supporting a successful transition , but with strict respect for republican principles and the rule of law .
Background that fuels doubts
The parties’ fears come amid a charged political context . The Inter-Malian Dialogue of May 2024 had already recommended extending the transition , promoting the putschist colonels to the rank of general, and increasing restrictions on political parties (tightening their creation and removing their public funding ).
In 2021, the National Refoundation Conference issued similar recommendations , reinforcing the idea of a project for the sustainable transformation of the political landscape , potentially to the detriment of democratic pluralism.
Conclusion
In Mali, in the midst of a political transition, political parties are sounding the alarm over what they perceive as an existential threat . While the authorities are advocating for an overhaul of the system, the parties are calling for transparency, dialogue, and respect for the Constitution . The outcome of the upcoming consultations will be crucial for the future of democratic pluralism in the country. Position Dodoma as an economic and strategic hub on a national and regional scale.
