Mali Military Government Disbands Student Group

Mali has been ravaged by jihadist violence since 2012 and attacks by self-declared self-defence forces and bandits.

The country has been under military rule since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the security situation compounded by a profound humanitarian and political crisis.

The government, in a statement released late Wednesday, said the Malian Association of Students (AEEM) had been dissolved.

It accused the body of "provoking disruptions of classes, killings, murder and the destruction of public and private property through demonstrations."

It claimed that armed clashes between different strands in the organisation on February 28 "led to the death of a young student ... while several others were seriously injured."

"As a consequence the AEEM is dissolved," it said.

The student movement in Mali, as in many other countries, has often been perceived as a potential hotbed for protests seeking political change.

On Wednesday, the United Nations said it was "deeply concerned" by the dissolution of civil society organisations and "increasing restrictions" on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Mali.

At least four organisations have been dissolved since December 2023, including groups relating to good governance, elections and opposition, a UN spokesperson said in a statement.

"We call on the transitional authorities to allow the disbanded organisations to resume their activities," Seif Magango said.

The junta announced the dissolution of the CMAS group, supporting an influential religious and opposition figure, earlier this month.

Imam Mahmoud Dicko iMnitially supported the leaders of a 2020 coup, before distancing himself and becoming one of the regime's most critical voices.