During a recent court appearance in Bamako, the capital of Mali, former Prime Minister Moussa Mara remained composed as judges turned down his legal team’s request for provisional release. Instead of granting bail, the prosecution has demanded a two-year prison term, a move that underscores the intensifying pressure the military junta is placing on political rivals and dissenting voices.

Moussa Mara, who led the government for eight months between 2014 and 2015, was taken into custody by security forces on August 1. His arrest followed a social media update in which he expressed support for Malian political detainees and advocated for their right to justice.

Government officials have leveled several charges against him, including undermining the state’s credibility, resisting lawful authority, inciting public unrest, and spreading misinformation. His trial began on September 29 in a specialized cybercrime court, with a final ruling expected on October 27. There are significant doubts regarding whether the proceedings will be conducted fairly.

Legal experts suggest these accusations directly infringe upon the right to free expression. A member of Mara‘s defense team noted that the charges bear no real connection to the content of his post on X. Mounkaïla Yayé, a prominent lawyer on the defense team, characterized the situation as a direct attack on the freedom of speech, warning that it could establish a hazardous precedent for the country.

Since seizing control in a 2021 coup, the military administration led by General Assimi Goïta has systematically restricted the political and civic landscape in Mali. This crackdown has included the banning of political parties and the intimidation, imprisonment, or forced disappearance of human rights defenders and journalists. General Goïta has strengthened his grip on power while repeatedly pushing back timelines for a transition to democratic civilian leadership.

The current administration has also disregarded international pleas for accountability regarding human rights abuses. There has been a notable failure to investigate or prosecute security forces accused of serious violations. In a further move away from international oversight, Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in January. This exit prevents citizens from seeking redress through the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Furthermore, in September, these three nations declared their intent to leave the International Criminal Court, a decision that threatens to block justice for victims of large-scale atrocities.

The legal pursuit of Moussa Mara signals that even simple gestures of solidarity with those being repressed are no longer tolerated in Mali. It highlights a profound lack of tolerance for any form of opposition. It is imperative that the Malian authorities dismiss all charges against Moussa Mara, secure his immediate release, and free all individuals held under arbitrary detention while restoring respect for the fundamental right to free speech.