Mali: authorities urged to halt repression of political dissent and free Moussa Mara

Mali’s sentencing of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison—including one year of immediate incarceration and a symbolic fine of 500,000 West African CFA francs (€762) to the Malian state—over dubious charges such as undermining state credibility is a gross miscarriage of justice, Amnesty International has warned. The human rights group is calling for his immediate release, along with all others imprisoned solely for expressing political dissent.

« The conviction and sentence imposed on Moussa Mara reflect the Malian authorities’ persistent disregard for their constitutional and international obligations regarding human rights, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Mali is a signatory », stated Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

« Rather than silencing critical voices, authorities must end the escalating crackdown on peaceful opposition and authoritarian practices, and release all individuals currently detained for merely exercising their right to free expression. The government must uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all Malians, including freedom of speech, assembly, and peaceful protest. »

Moussa Mara, who served as Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and leads the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on August 1st on charges of « undermining state credibility », « inciting public disorder », and « opposing legitimate authority ». His detention followed a July 4th tweet in which he expressed solidarity with detained activists and politicians, vowing to « fight by all means until the sun rises ».

« The Malian authorities must cease arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the abusive use of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful dissent. They must ensure fair trials and uphold the rule of law. »

Marceau Sivieude, Regional Director, Amnesty International for West and Central Africa

Recent cases of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances

The Malian government’s repression has increasingly targeted journalists, activists, and critics. On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and Yéléma party member, was abducted by masked men claiming to be intelligence agents. Thiam’s abduction occurred a day after he publicly criticized the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government a five-year extension. His whereabouts remained unknown for months, as authorities neither acknowledged his detention nor provided information. His wife filed a missing persons report on July 17, and he was finally released on September 26.

Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 ahead of a press conference exposing recurring power cuts. He faced charges of threatening the life of transitional leader Assimi Goïta and his family. In April 2025, an investigating judge dismissed the charges and ordered his release—but Dembélé remains arbitrarily detained.

In August and September 2025, the UN Independent Expert on Mali condemned the enforced disappearance of El Béchir Thiam and the arbitrary arrest of Clément Dembélé, urging their immediate and unconditional release. « Authorities must stop weaponizing the justice system to silence critics, » Sivieude reiterated.

Other critical voices silenced since 2023

Since 2023, several prominent critics have been detained under similar charges. Rokiatou Doumbia, known as « Rose Vie Chère » or « Tantie Rose », was arrested in March 2023 for denouncing deteriorating security and rising living costs following the 2020 military takeover. Convicted in August 2023 on charges including « incitement to revolt » and « undermining state credibility », she remains in arbitrary detention despite serving her initial sentence.

In March 2023, radio host and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, nicknamed « Ras Bath », was arrested after calling the death in custody of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga an « assassination ». In August 2023, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for « false accusation »—charges related to his criticism of the state. Though he completed his sentence, Ras Bath was re-indicted in August 2025 on additional charges, including « undermining state credibility » and « regionalist, racist, and religious crimes », and remains in pretrial detention.

In September 2023, activist and transitional council member Adama Diarra, known as « Ben le Cerveau », was arrested for advocating a return to civilian constitutional rule. Convicted of « undermining state credibility » and sentenced to two years in prison, his request for provisional release was denied in February 2025, leaving him still held without legal basis.

Former transitional council member Issa Kaou N’Djim was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2024 after questioning the validity of a statement by Burkinabè authorities regarding a coup attempt. Arrested following a complaint by Burkinabè officials, he faces charges of « public insult against a foreign head of state ».

Political context in Mali

Mali has been under military rule since the 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The originally planned 18-month transition has been extended three times, most recently in April 2025 when the government announced the dissolution of all political parties and a five-year extension of the transition period.