Mali’s military junta has lifted a suspension on political party activities that was first put in place to maintain public order, the council of ministers announced late Wednesday.
The suspension had been enacted in April, just days before the commencement of a national dialogue aimed at establishing peace in the Sahelian nation, which has faced a jihadist insurgency for over a decade, Reuters reported.
“By taking this deterrent measure, the government was able to contain all the threats of public disorder that hung over this major event,” the council said in a statement.
Mali has been under military rule since August 2020, amidst a series of coups in West and Central Africa over the past four years, including in neighbouring countries Burkina Faso and Niger.
Following a clash with the interim president, the junta backed out of the agreement to transition the country back to civilian elections.
Political parties and civil society groups reacted with anger to the junta’s decision not to hold the vote and have called for a return to constitutional order.
Given the focus was now on implementing the recommendations of the April 13-May 10 peace dialogue, the government will allow political parties to resume their activities.
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