Mali Erupts in Protests Against Junta's Crackdown on Democracy
Hundreds of Malians have taken to the streets in the capital Bamako and the town of Diafarabé since May 3, 2025, in widespread protests against the ruling junta's recent decisions to dissolve political parties and extend presidential terms. Demonstrators assert that these actions severely erode democratic principles in the West African nation.
These ongoing demonstrations mark the first large-scale civilian uprising since Colonel Assimi Goïta seized power in a 2020 coup. Protesters, backed by a coalition of civil society groups, are demanding an immediate return to constitutional democratic rule and the reversal of the junta's authoritarian decrees.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have swiftly condemned the junta's forceful crackdowns on the protests and the reported detentions of activists and opposition figures. The escalating unrest underscores deep public frustration following years of political instability, security challenges, and growing human rights concerns under military rule.
Observers are keenly watching the situation, deeming it a critical test for democratic movements across Francophone Africa. The outcome in Mali — whether the junta succumbs to sustained civic pressure or tightens its authoritarian grip further — could significantly influence the trajectory of democratic aspirations throughout the region.
I’m Adedayo Obadina
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