Mali’s ruling military junta has imposed a ban on media coverage of political parties, a day after suspending their activities, as part of the latest crackdown on dissent in the West African nation, News About Nigeria reports.
The high authority for communication in Mali issued a statement on Thursday instructing all media outlets, including radio, television, print press, and online platforms, to cease broadcasting and publishing activities related to political parties and associations of a political nature.
The directive did not specify the consequences for media organisations failing to comply with the ban.
The move follows the junta’s decision on Wednesday to indefinitely suspend all political activities, citing the need to maintain public order.
Government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga attributed the suspension to what he termed as “sterile discussions” during a national dialogue earlier in the year, stating that subversive acts by political parties were on the rise.
Despite the crackdown, there has been limited reaction from political parties and prominent figures, many of whom have been silenced or face legal challenges.
Moussa Mara, a former prime minister, called for the reversal of the decision, labelling it a “major step backwards” that does not bode well for a peaceful future.
The Convergence for the Development of Mali Party president, Housseini Amion Guindo, urged civil disobedience until the fall of the junta, citing its failure to address the essential needs of Malians.
The junta had previously promised to hold elections and return power to civilians by March 26, 2024, under pressure from the regional bloc ECOWAS.
However, no elections were organised by the stipulated deadline.
International condemnation followed the junta’s move, with the United Nations expressing alarm and calling for the immediate repeal of the decree suspending political activities.
The US State Department criticised the ban and urged Mali to hold free and fair elections.
Press freedom advocates condemned the media ban as part of a broader effort to suppress information under the junta.
Mali’s Maison de la Presse called on media outlets to resist the communication authority’s orders.
Since the military takeover in 2020, Mali’s political crisis has worsened and is now marked by limitations to the opposition’s legal challenges, limitations on press freedom, and failure to successfully return to civilian authority.
The junta’s actions have also strained international relations, leading to the termination of alliances with the European Union and France and closer ties with Russia.
