Mali - May 2025

On 3 May, hundreds of Malians demonstrated in Bamako in the country’s first large pro-democracy protest since the military seized power in 2020. Protesters, including political parties, civil society groups, and labor leaders, gathered to oppose the junta’s plans to extend military rule and install transitional leader Assimi Goïta as president without elections. Civil society groups were active in the organization of the protests. Security forces cordoned off parts of the protest site, and pro-government groups attempted to disrupt the gathering. 

Sources: Mali Jet, The Associated Press, Barron’s, Institute for Security Studies – Africa, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, International IDEA