{"id":3782,"date":"2025-05-05T10:31:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T14:31:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.viewworld.org\/?p=3782"},"modified":"2025-05-05T10:31:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T14:31:42","slug":"hundreds-of-activists-stage-malis-first-pro-democracy-rally-in-years-since-coups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.viewworld.org\/?p=3782","title":{"rendered":"Hundreds of activists stage Mali\u2019s first pro-democracy rally in years since coups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) \u2014 Hundreds of activists defied threats from Mali<\/a> \u2019s military government and demonstrated over the weekend in the first pro-democracy rally since soldiers took power by force almost four years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demonstrators in the capital, Bamako, protested a new bill initiated by Mali\u2019s transitional government to dissolve political parties in the west African nation. It was the latest decision to restrict political activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The activists on Saturday chanted against dictatorship outside the Palais de Culture, which police had cordoned off to avoid clashes with pro-military youths who took over the venue hours earlier in an attempt to prevent the rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rally\u2019s organizers said in a statement they \u201cstrongly condemn any attempt to limit, suspend or dissolve political parties, which is a direct attack on the constitution and the sovereignty of the Malian people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Sunday, civil society figures, political parties and labor leaders held a press conference to call for \u201ca rapid and credible return to constitutional order through the organization of transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections,\u201d organizer Cheick Oumar Doumbia said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police made them leave the scene, citing the risk of confrontation with supporters of the military government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is still early to say whether the protests will gain momentum, but there is a \u201creal risk\u201d of tension if political parties are not reassured by the authorities, said Mamouni Soumano, political analyst and lecturer at Kurukanfuga University in Bamako.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mali\u2019s government last week issued a decree in the Council of Ministers to repeal the law governing the charter of political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That followed a national political conference<\/a> last week, launched by the government, that also recommended naming as president junta leader Gen. Assimi Goita<\/a>, who seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference said Goita should be installed as president for a renewable five-year term, according to Abdou Salam Diepkil\u00e9, director general of territorial administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mali\u2019s military leaders have cut diplomatic ties and military cooperation with traditional Western partners and forged new partnerships with Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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