The African Tribune

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—faces mounting scrutiny over the trajectory of democracy in the region. Led by military juntas that seized power between 2020 and 2023, these nations share a common struggle: combating terrorism and armed groups that have destabilized their territories for years. Spanning over 2.8 million square kilometers, the region’s security challenges have eroded trust in civilian governance, with some populations initially viewing military takeovers as a short-term solution to endemic instability. Yet as transitions drag on, citizens across the AES are increasingly questioning whether these juntas truly intend to restore democratic principles. The very notion of democracy is being challenged by military leaders, raising doub...

In response to the suggestion that all political parties in Mali be dissolved following discussions on revising the Charter of Political Parties, Ousmane Diallo, a Sahel researcher at Amnesty International’s regional office, issued a warning: “We are deeply troubled by the proposal to abolish political parties in Mali. This would represent a severe violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression. The transitional government must halt its intensifying crackdown on civic space and uphold the human rights of every citizen, including opposition members, activists, and critics.” “The proposed dissolution would contradict the 2023 Constitution, which was enacted by the current transitional authorities. This document specifically protects the existence of political ...