Mali must release Moussa Mara and stop stifling political freedoms

The judicial decision to sentence Moussa Mara, the former Prime Minister of Mali, to two years in prison—including one year of mandatory detention—along with a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (approximately 762 euros) and a symbolic payment to the state, has been labeled a judicial farce by Amnesty International. The organization is demanding his immediate release, as well as the liberation of all individuals currently held for their political stances.

“The legal proceedings and subsequent sentencing of Moussa Mara highlight a blatant disregard for Mali’s human rights commitments under its own Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” stated Marceau Sivieude, the regional director for West and Central Africa at Amnesty International.

“Instead of silencing those who disagree, the leadership in Mali must cease its intensifying crackdown on peaceful dissent and authoritarian tactics. All persons imprisoned simply for sharing their perspectives must be set free at once. It is imperative that the authorities uphold the fundamental rights of every citizen, particularly the freedoms of speech, association, and peaceful gathering.”

Moussa Mara, who led the government from April 2014 to January 2015 and currently heads the Yéléma opposition party, was taken into custody on August 1. He faced allegations of damaging the state’s reputation, inciting public unrest, and resisting lawful authority.

His legal troubles began after he posted a message on social media on July 4, expressing support for several jailed politicians and activists. In his post, he used the metaphor of ‘night’ to describe the current situation, pledging to strive by all available means for the ‘sun to rise’ again.

The governing bodies must end the use of arbitrary jailings, enforced disappearances, and the manipulation of the legal system to suppress peaceful opponents in Mali.

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

A pattern of unlawful detentions and disappearances

A growing number of activists and members of the press have been targeted in a broader campaign to eliminate critical discourse within Mali.

On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist affiliated with the Yéléma party, was abducted by masked individuals claiming to be intelligence officers. This occurred shortly after he publicly denounced the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government an additional five-year term. For months, his location remained a mystery as officials refused to acknowledge his status. Following a formal kidnapping complaint filed by his wife in July, Thiam was eventually released and allowed to return home on September 26.

Similarly, Clément Dembélé, a prominent anti-corruption advocate, was arrested in November 2023. At the time, his organization, the Platform Against Corruption and Unemployment, was preparing to speak out against persistent power outages. Dembélé was accused of making threats against the life of President Assimi Goïta. Although an investigating magistrate dismissed the charges and ordered his release in April 2025, he continues to be held without legal justification.

United Nations experts previously raised alarms in August and September 2025 regarding the forced disappearance of El Béchir Thiam and the unlawful detention of Clément Dembélé, urging for their unconditional freedom.

“The authorities in Mali must stop using the penal system as a tool to quiet peaceful critics. They are obligated to ensure fair trial standards and uphold the rule of law,” Marceau Sivieude added.

Silencing dissent since 2023

Rokiatou Doumbia, widely known as “Rose Vie Chère,” was detained in March 2023 after criticizing the rising cost of living and the declining security situation under military rule. Charged with inciting revolt and harming the state’s credit, she received a one-year sentence in August 2023. Despite completing her term, she remains in custody.

In March 2023, radio personality and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, or “Ras Bath,” was arrested for describing the death of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga in custody as an “assassination.” He was sentenced to 18 months for “simulating an offense.” Even after serving this time, he faces new charges of criminal association and regionalist crimes, keeping him behind bars.

Adama Diarra, a member of the National Transition Council known as “Ben le Cerveau,” was arrested in September 2023 for advocating a return to civilian constitutional rule. He was sentenced to two years for damaging the state’s reputation. His legal team’s request for provisional release was denied in February 2025.

Furthermore, Issa Kaou N’Djim, another former transition official, was handed a two-year sentence in late 2024. His crime was publicly questioning a report from Burkina Faso regarding a coup attempt, which led to charges of insulting a foreign head of state.

Background

Mali has been under military leadership since the 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. A transition period originally set for 18 months has been extended three times. In April 2025, the government moved to dissolve all political parties and announced that the transition would continue for another five years.