Hundreds of activists defied threats from Mali's military government and demonstrated over the weekend in the first pro-democracy rally since soldiers took power by force almost four years ago.
The demonstrators in the capital, Bamako, protested a new bill initiated by Mali’s transitional government to dissolve political parties in the west African nation. It was the latest decision to restrict political activities.
The activists chanted against dictatorship outside the Palais de Culture, which police had cordoned off to avoid clashes with pro-military youths who took over the venue hours earlier in an attempt to prevent the rally.
The rally’s organizers said in a statement they “strongly condemn any attempt to limit, suspend, or dissolve political parties, which is a direct attack on the constitution and the sovereignty of the Malian people.”
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