The Mali ruling junta has arrested eleven opponents who opposed its administration and called for a return to civilian rule.
Promise not fulfilled
Those detained include the heads of parties and political movements that signed a declaration in March calling for the handover of power to civilians. The military junta had earlier promised and signed an agreement in 2020 when it seized power to conduct elections and return to civilian rule by March 2024.
However, the military did not only fail to hand over power but also postponed electoral activities until further notice.
Clamors for Civilian Rule
This has led to clamors for a return to civilian rule as promised by the junta. However, the eleven agitators were arrested on Thursday as they took part in an “illegal meeting” due to the ban on political activities until further notice.
They are due to appear before a prosecutor on Friday, a judicial source said. Their arrest took place during a “private meeting” at the home of a coalition official, the grouping said.
Reactions to the Arrests
This move by the military has been termed “a violation of fundamental freedoms.” Signatories of the declaration dated March 31 condemned the “legal and institutional void” after a deadline passed for the junta to hand over power. They called for presidential elections to be held “as soon as possible.”
Why It Matters
The colonels in Mali have kept a tight hold on power, suspending all party-political activities and muzzling opponents, journalists, and human rights activists. The arrest of these eleven political opponents underscores the military’s tightening grip on power and raises significant concerns about the suppression of fundamental freedoms and the delayed return to civilian rule.
Bottom Line
The arrest of eleven political opponents by Mali’s ruling junta underscores the military’s tightening grip on power and raises significant concerns about the suppression of fundamental freedoms and the delayed return to civilian rule.
