Mali authorities urged to end repression against critics and free former pm

Mali’s recent conviction of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara—a two-year prison sentence (one year suspended) and a symbolic fine of 500,000 CFA francs (€762) to the state—on dubious charges of undermining state credibility signals a blatant disregard for justice and human rights, Amnesty International has warned. The organization is calling for his immediate release, along with all others detained solely for peacefully expressing their political views.

« The verdict against Moussa Mara underscores the Malian authorities’ persistent failure to uphold constitutional obligations, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all of which Mali has ratified, » stated Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. « Instead of silencing dissent, the government must halt its escalating crackdown on peaceful opposition and authoritarian practices, ensuring the immediate release of all detainees imprisoned for merely voicing their opinions. Respect for human rights—including freedom of expression, assembly, and association—must be non-negotiable. »

Mara, who served as Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and leads the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on August 1 after posting a tweet on July 4 expressing solidarity with detained activists and politicians. In his message, he vowed to fight « by all means » for justice to prevail, using the metaphor of « the sun rising after a long night. » His charges include « undermining state credibility, » « inciting public disorder, » and « opposing legitimate authority. »

The Malian government must cease its reliance on arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the misuse of the penal system to suppress peaceful dissent. Accountability and adherence to the rule of law are long overdue.

Marceau Sivieude, Regional Director, Amnesty International (West and Central Africa)

Recent cases of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances

The Malian authorities have intensified their repression of critical voices, with journalists and activists bearing the brunt of these abuses. One of the most alarming cases involves El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and member of Moussa Mara’s Yéléma party. On May 8, 2025, masked men identifying themselves as intelligence agents abducted Thiam just hours after he publicly criticized the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government a five-year extension. For months, the whereabouts of Thiam remained unknown, as authorities neither acknowledged his detention nor provided any information. His wife filed a missing person report on July 17, and he was finally released on September 26.

Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 while preparing a press conference to expose recurring power outages. He was charged with « threatening the life of President Assimi Goïta and his family. » In April 2025, a judge dismissed the charges and ordered his release, yet he remains arbitrarily detained. The United Nations Independent Expert on Mali has condemned Thiam’s enforced disappearance and Dembélé’s arbitrary arrest, urging their immediate and unconditional release.

« Authorities must end the weaponization of the legal system, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions to silence peaceful critics, » Sivieude emphasized. « Guaranteeing fair trials and upholding the rule of law are fundamental obligations that cannot be ignored. »

Other critics silenced since 2023

The crackdown extends beyond Mara and his allies. Rokiatou Doumbia, also known as « Rose Vie Chère » or « Tantie Rose, » was arrested in March 2023 for condemning the deteriorating security situation and rising cost of living under military rule. She faced charges of « inciting rebellion, » « undermining state credibility, » and « criminal association, » and was sentenced to one year in prison in August 2023. Though she completed her sentence, she remains arbitrarily detained.

In March 2023, radio host and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily (« Ras Bath ») was arrested after labeling the death of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga in detention as « murder. » In August 2023, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for « falsely reporting a crime, » a charge tied to his accusation against the state. Despite serving his term, he was re-indicted in September 2025 on additional charges, including « criminal association, » « undermining state credibility, » and « regionalist, racist, or religious crimes, » and remains in provisional detention.

Adama Diarra (« Ben le Cerveau »), an activist and member of the National Transitional Council, was arrested in September 2023 for advocating a return to civilian constitutional rule. Charged with « undermining state credibility, » he was sentenced to two years in prison in February 2025. His lawyers’ request for provisional release was denied, and he continues to be held arbitrarily.

Issa Kaou N’Djim, another former member of the National Transitional Council, was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2024 after questioning the validity of a statement by Burkinabè authorities regarding a coup attempt. He was arrested following a complaint filed by Burkina Faso and charged with « publicly insulting a foreign head of state. »

Context: Mali’s military-led transition

Since the 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, Mali has been governed by a military junta. The originally 18-month transition period has been extended three times, culminating in April 2025 when the government dissolved all political parties and announced a further five-year extension of the transition. These developments have heightened concerns over democratic backsliding and the erosion of civil liberties in the country.