A new court hearing opened Tuesday in Mali to contest the government’s decision to dissolve political parties and associations last May. Several political groups and civil society organizations are challenging the move, calling it unconstitutional.

The original hearing, scheduled for Monday in a different court in Bamako, was postponed without explanation, raising concerns among observers.

Authorities justified the ban as a measure to maintain national unity during the transition period.

Critics argue the decision undermines democratic freedoms and signals growing authoritarianism in the Sahel nation.