The United Nations has issued a stern warning regarding the deteriorating situation in Mali. Through the voice of its High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, the organization has expressed grave concerns about the indefinite postponement of elections and the intensification of repression targeting civil society. “The laws adopted in recent months pose a serious threat to long-term human rights compliance in Mali,” Türk stated, urging the transitional authorities to take immediate and concrete action to repeal these problematic legislations.

Unlimited mandate and arrests of key figures

In July, General Assimi Goïta, who has led the junta in power since 2021, enacted a law granting himself an effectively unlimited presidential mandate, effectively becoming the country’s president. “These legal changes have effectively closed the door on any democratic elections in Mali for the foreseeable future, violating citizens’ fundamental rights to participate in public affairs, vote, and stand for election through free and periodic polls. These laws must be repealed without delay,” emphasized Volker Türk. Two months prior, in May, the dissolution of political parties was formalized. The matter now rests with the Constitutional Court.

Ending the misuse of law against dissent

Simultaneously, prominent civil society figures and former political leaders, including anti-corruption activist Clément Dembélé and former Prime Minister Choguel Maïga, have been detained. “The sharp increase in arbitrary arrests of Malians from all walks of life, based on vague accusations of undermining state credibility—merely for expressing their opinions—is deeply alarming,” warned the High Commissioner, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals. “The instrumentalization of law to silence dissent must cease without further delay.”