MEDIA groups in Mali today slammed a new ban on reporting on the activities of political parties and associations, announced by the the country’s military rulers.

The new rules, announced on Thursday, come a day after the country’s rulers suspended all political activities in the country until further notice.

The order, issued by Mali’s high authority for communication, said the new rules applied to all forms of the media, including television, radio, online and print newspapers.

The umbrella organisation that represents journalists in Mali, Maison de le Press, said it rejects the order and called on journalists to continue to report on politics in Mali. 

It also urged them to “stand tall, remain unified and to mobilise to defend the right of citizens to have access to information.”

Mali is among several west African countries that have seen military coups in recent years, which have rejected French military and economic domination.

Mali’s national commission for human rights said: “Instead of calming the social climate, these restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms could potentially stir up trouble and tension, which the country does not need.”

Analysts said the move was likely to spark a backlash.

Rida Lyammouri of the Policy Centre for the New South, a Morocco-based think tank, said: “Recent weeks saw mounting pressure by political parties and figures. 

“For the first time, the public and politicians have publicly criticised junta leaders and accused them of a lack of seriousness.”