The sentencing of former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison—including one year of mandatory jail time—and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs has been condemned as a judicial sham. Amnesty International is calling for his immediate release, along with all other individuals currently held for their political convictions.

Marceau Sivieude, the regional director for Amnesty International in West and Central Africa, stated that the ruling against Moussa Mara highlights a blatant disregard for Mali’s human rights commitments. These obligations are enshrined in the nation’s Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Mali is a signatory.

“The authorities must cease their efforts to silence critical voices and end the escalating suppression of peaceful opposition,” Sivieude remarked. “It is imperative that the government respects and protects the fundamental rights of every citizen, including the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”

Moussa Mara, who served as Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and currently leads the Yéléma opposition party, was detained on August 1. He was charged with “undermining the credit of the State,” “inciting public disorder,” and “opposing legitimate authority.”

His arrest followed a social media post on July 4, in which he expressed solidarity with detained politicians and activists, vowing to use all available means to ensure justice was served.

The authorities must stop using arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the manipulation of the legal system to stifle peaceful dissent in Mali.

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

Recent cases of arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances

The crackdown on dissent in Mali has increasingly targeted journalists and activists who voice criticism of the current administration.

On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and member of the Yéléma party, was abducted by masked individuals claiming to be intelligence agents. This occurred shortly after he publicly criticized the transitional parliament’s decision to extend the military government’s mandate by five years. His whereabouts remained unknown for months until his release on September 26.

Similarly, anti-corruption activist Clément Dembélé was arrested in November 2023. He was accused of threatening the head of state, Assimi Goïta, while preparing to speak out against persistent power outages. Despite a judge dismissing the charges and ordering his release in April 2025, Dembélé remains in arbitrary detention.

United Nations experts have previously voiced concerns over these cases, specifically calling for the release of El Béchir Thiam and Clément Dembélé during the latter half of 2025.

“The misuse of the penal system to silence peaceful opponents must end immediately,” added Marceau Sivieude. “The Malian authorities must uphold the rule of law and guarantee the right to a fair trial for all.”

Other critical voices silenced since 2023

Rokiatou Doumbia, known as “Rose Vie Chère,” was detained in March 2023 after speaking out against the rising cost of living and the security situation under military rule. Despite completing her one-year sentence for “incitement to revolt,” she continues to be held arbitrarily.

Radio host and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, or “Ras Bath,” was arrested in March 2023 for his comments regarding the death of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga in custody. After serving an 18-month sentence, he has been hit with new charges, including “undermining the credit of the State,” and remains in pre-trial detention.

Adama Diarra, also known as “Ben le Cerveau,” was arrested in September 2023 after calling for a return to civilian constitutional rule. He was sentenced to two years in prison and remains in custody after his request for provisional release was denied in early 2025.

Furthermore, Issa Kaou N’Djim received a two-year sentence in late 2024 for questioning a statement from Burkina Faso regarding an alleged coup attempt, leading to charges of offending a foreign head of state.

Context

Mali has been under military leadership since the 2020 coup that removed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The transition period has been repeatedly extended. In April 2025, the government dissolved all political parties and announced that the transition would continue for another five years.