Mali's ruling junta has banned the media from reporting on "the activities of political parties and associations", a day after banning all political activity in the country.
Late last night, the Malian authorities issued an order banning the reporting of all media, television, radio, print and online newspapers.
The announcement does not specify whether journalists will be allowed to report on topics such as the economy, which are closely related to politics.
The military junta in Mali banned all political activities yesterday, citing the interests of protecting public order and peace.
The umbrella organization of journalists in Mali responded that it refuses to comply with the order and called on media workers to mobilize and remain united in defending citizens' right to access information.
The US said it was "deeply concerned" by the ban on political activity.
"Freedom of expression and freedom of association are critical to an open society," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in Washington.
Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading to a wave of instability that has hit West and Central Africa, exacerbated by terrorist actions by Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Mali had previously relied on French troops to help suppress the rebels. However, dissatisfied with the lack of progress, the ruling junta ordered French troops out of the country and instead turned to Russian mercenaries for security support.
The last French troops left Mali in August 2022 after almost a decade of operations in that country.
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