Mali has lifted a state of emergency ahead of the start of political campaigning for a presidential election on July 28, a spokesman for West African nation’s army said.

The state of emergency, which handed the army sweeping powers and banned gatherings of over 50 people, was imposed in January following a French-led military offensive aimed at driving out Islamist militant groups that had taken control of the north of the country.

“The state of emergency has de facto been lifted since midnight yesterday,” Captain Modibo Naman Traore said.

“The military situation has now stabilized, lifting the state of emergency will allow the candidates in the presidential election to campaign,” Traore said, adding that several parties were planning meetings on Saturday.

Some 28 candidates including four former prime ministers are standing in the election