The military authorities in Mali have dissolved all political parties and repealed laws protecting political participation, drawing sharp condemnation from the UNs top human rights official on Friday.

UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres has called for accountability following a despicable terrorist attack in Mali this week, his Spokesperson said on Thursday.

West Africa and the Sahel continue to grapple with a confluence of political, security and humanitarian crises as countries prepares for pivotal elections in 2025, the UN special envoy for the vast region told ambassadors in the Security Council on Friday.

Volker Trk on Fridaycalled the decree draconianand urged Malis Transitional President, General Assimi Gota, to reverse the decree issued earlier this week.

Signed on 13 May, the decree dissolves all political parties and organizations of a political nature nationwide. It was preceded by the repeal of legislation that had safeguarded political participation.

Any restrictions of political participation must be consistent with Malis international human rights law obligations, High Commissioner for Human Rights Trk said.

He urged the transitional authorities to release those who have been arrested on politically motivated grounds and to fully restore political rights in the country.

Erosion of civic space

The clampdown comes amid a broader erosion of civic space in Mali since the military seized power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021.

According to media reports, the governments move was read out on state television on Tuesday and cited the need to curb the proliferation of political parties.

At least three opposition members were reportedly arrested following protests against the decree, with their whereabouts currently unknown part of what Mr. Trk described as a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances dating back to at least 2021.

A group of UN independent rights expertsalso condemned the developmentsin a separate statement last week, warning that the decree and accompanying legislation represent a direct violation of basic human rights.

Elections in question

The experts who are independent of the UN and serve in their personal capacity criticised the transitional authorities for using the 2021 national consultations, the Assises Nationales de la Refondation and April 2025 consultation on review of the Charter of Political Parties, as justification for authoritarian measures.

Several political parties boycotted those consultations, citing fears they were being used as a pretext to dismantle political opposition.

Among the recommendations emerging from those meetings, the Council of Ministers reportedly discussed naming Gen. Gota as president for a renewable five-year term without holding elections.

The UN has urged the transitional authorities to refrain from extending the transition period again and to publish an electoral timetable without delay.

High Commissioner Trk recalled Gen. Gotas instructions to the Cabinet of Ministers in November 2024 to create conditions for transparent and peaceful elections, a promise that now appears increasingly hollow.

Spiralling security situation

Beyond political repression, Mali is grappling with worsening security conditions following theclosureof the UN peacekeeping mission,MINUSMA, at the end of 2023.

According to credible information received by the UN rights office,OHCHR, violations and abuses increased by nearly 120 per cent between 2023 and 2024.

Thewithdrawalof French forces and the European Union Training Mission in Mali in 2022 also contributed to the deteriorating security situation across the West African landlocked country.

Civilians across the country continue to face deadly attacks including killings, abduction, and sexual and gender-based violence by extremist groups including (JNIM) and the Islamic State - Sahel Province.

Government forces, allegedly accompanied by foreign military personnel widely referred to either as Africa Corps or Wagner, have also been accused of serious abuses. Last month, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in the southwestern Kayes region after being detained by Malian forces and foreign partners.

Bring perpetrators to justice

Mr. Trk underscored the need to ensure accountability for rights violations and abuses.

The multiple investigations announced by the Malian authorities into these killings must be prompt, impartial and meet international standards, he said, with a view to ensuring victims rights to truth, justice and reparations.