Mali’s military government on Wednesday, suspended the activities of political parties in the country indefinitely.

This comes days after a rare pro-democracy rally.

The decree was signed by the transitional president, General Assimi Goita.

Goita, who seized power after coups in 2020 and 2021, cited “reasons of public order”;.

It was issued a week after a law governing the operation of political parties was repealed.

The decision was interpreted by legal experts as a step towards their dissolution.

In response, a coalition of parties formed to “demand the effective end of the political-military transition no later thanDecember 31”; as well as a return to constitutional order.

OnSaturday, the new coalition carried out a protest in the capital, Bamako, against the move by the military government.

Another protest had been expected later this week.