Mali government urged to end repression of political dissent and free former prime minister

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the two-year prison sentence handed down to former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara, including one year of actual imprisonment and a symbolic 1 CFA franc fine to the Malian state. The human rights organization argues that the verdict—based on charges including damaging the state’s reputation—is a gross miscarriage of justice and demands his immediate release, along with all others detained solely for exercising their political opinions.

« The conviction of Moussa Mara is yet another example of the Malian authorities’ persistent disregard for their human rights obligations under the country’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—all treaties to which Mali is a signatory,» stated Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

The organization also called on authorities to halt the growing crackdown on peaceful opposition and end authoritarian practices. « Instead of silencing critical voices, the government must uphold and protect the rights of all Malians, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,» Sivieude emphasized.

Moussa Mara, who served as Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and leads the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on August 1 following a tweet expressing solidarity with detained activists and politicians. In his post, he referenced a « night » and vowed to fight « by all means » for the sun to rise again.

« Authorities must stop relying on arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the abusive misuse of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful dissent in Mali. »

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

Recent cases of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances in Mali

Journalists and activists have increasingly become targets in a broader campaign to suppress dissenting voices. On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and member of Moussa Mara’s Yéléma party, was abducted by masked men claiming to be intelligence agents. His abduction followed public criticism of the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government a new five-year mandate. For months, his whereabouts were unknown, and authorities neither acknowledged his detention nor provided any information. His wife filed a complaint 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 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—but he remains arbitrarily detained.

In August and September 2025, the UN Independent Expert on Mali publicly condemned the enforced disappearance of El Béchir Thiam and the arbitrary arrest of Clément Dembélé, urging their immediate and unconditional release.

« Authorities must end arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the weaponization of the justice system against peaceful critics,» Sivieude reiterated. « They must ensure fair trials and uphold the rule of law.»

Other critical voices silenced since 2023

Rokiatou Doumbia, also known as « Rose Vie Chère » or « Tantie Rose, » was arrested in March 2023 for speaking out against worsening security conditions and rising living costs following the 2020 military takeover. Charged with inciting rebellion, damaging state credibility, and criminal association, she was sentenced to one year in prison in August 2023. Although she completed her sentence, she remains arbitrarily detained.

In March 2023, radio host and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as « Ras Bath, » was arrested after calling the death in custody of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga an « assassination. » He was sentenced on appeal in August 2023 to 18 months in prison for defamation—charged with falsely accusing the state of a crime. After serving his time, he was re-indicted on additional charges including criminal association, damaging state credibility, and crimes of a regionalist, racist, or religious nature—and remains in pretrial detention.

In September 2023, activist and transitional council member Adama Diarra, nicknamed « Ben le Cerveau, » was arrested for advocating a return to civilian constitutional rule. Charged with damaging state credibility, he was sentenced to two years in prison. In February 2025, a request for provisional release was denied, and he continues to be held arbitrarily.

Issa Kaou N’Djim, a former transitional council member, was sentenced to two years in prison after questioning a Burkinabè government statement regarding a coup attempt in November 2024. His arrest followed a complaint by Burkinabè authorities and charges of publicly insulting a foreign head of state.

Background: Mali under military rule

Since the 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, Mali has been governed by a military-led administration. A transitional period originally set for 18 months has been extended three times. In April 2025, authorities announced the dissolution of all political parties and a further five-year extension of the transition period.