Political parties in Mali have been dissolved by the nation's military government.
Assimi Goita, who seized power in two army coups in 2020 and 2021, announced the decision in a televised statement on Tuesday.
He is set to stay in power till at least 2030, despite promises to hold elections, solidified by a national conference held in April that recommended extending his presidency.
The original promise of elections was meant to take place in February of 2022.
The decision garnered major pushback from his opposition and human rights groups, while this latest decision to dissolve political parties is expected to increase tensions, and that military crackdown.
"All meetings of members of political parties and organisations of a political character are dissolved across the national territory," Goita said in a broadcast on state TV.
The decree was a clear warning but did not outline penalties, only saying that anyone working in a political or administrative role could "continue their duties without party affiliation".
Goita's opposition condemned the move, with the president of the Union for the Safeguarding of the Republic party, Nouhoum Togo writing on social media that “No matter how hard they try to make you invisible, your value doesn't depend on their recognition.”
Moussa Mara, a former prime minister, also described the new restrictions as "a severe blow to the reconciliation efforts initiated last year".
