Amnesty International has condemned the two-year prison sentence—including one year with no possibility of parole—imposed on former Mali Prime Minister Moussa Mara, along with a 500,000 CFA franc fine (€762) for charges including defamation of the state. The conviction is widely viewed as a blatant miscarriage of justice, prompting calls for his immediate release and the freedom of all individuals detained solely for exercising their political views.
« The ruling against Moussa Mara reflects the Malian authorities’ ongoing 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 Mali has ratified, » stated Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
« Rather than silencing critics, the government must end its escalating crackdown on peaceful opposition and authoritarian practices. Authorities must uphold and protect everyone’s human rights, including freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. »
Moussa Mara, who served as Prime Minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and leads the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on August 1st on charges of « defamation of the state, » « incitement to public disorder, » and « opposition to legitimate authority. »
His arrest followed a July 4th tweet in which he expressed solidarity with detained activists and politicians, vowing to fight « by all means » for justice to prevail. The phrase « until the sun rises » was interpreted by authorities as a call to unrest.
« Authorities must stop using arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and the abuse of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful critics in Mali. They must ensure fair trials and uphold the rule of law, »
Marceau Sivieude, Regional Director of Amnesty International for West and Central Africa
Recent cases of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances
Journalists and activists continue to bear the brunt of a widening crackdown on dissent in Mali.
On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and Yéléma party member, was abducted by masked individuals claiming to be intelligence agents. His disappearance followed public criticism of the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government a five-year extension. For months, his whereabouts were unknown—authorities neither acknowledged his detention nor provided any information. His wife filed a missing person report on July 17, and he was finally released and allowed to return home on September 26.
Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 just before his organization, the Platform Against Corruption and Unemployment, was set to hold a press conference exposing recurring power cuts. He faced charges of threatening the life of transitional leader Assimi Goïta and his family. Although a judge dismissed the charges in April 2025 and ordered his release, Dembélé remains in arbitrary detention.
In August and September 2025, the UN Independent Expert on Mali condemned the enforced disappearance of El Béchir Thiam and the arbitrary arrest of Clément Dembélé, urging their immediate and unconditional release.
« Authorities must cease relying on arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the misuse of the legal system to suppress peaceful dissent in Mali. They must guarantee fair trials and respect the rule of law, » reiterated Marceau Sivieude.
Other critical voices silenced since 2023
Since 2023, several outspoken figures have faced persecution for challenging military rule and socio-economic conditions.
Rokiatou Doumbia, also known as « Rose Vie Chère » or « Tantie Rose, » was arrested in March 2023 after publicly denouncing worsening security and rising living costs following the 2020 military takeover. She was charged with « incitement to rebellion, » « defamation of the state, » and « criminal association, » and 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, nicknamed « Ras Bath, » was arrested after calling the death in custody of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga an « assassination. » In August 2023, an appeals court sentenced him to 18 months in prison for « false accusation of a crime, » effectively criminalizing criticism of state actions. Despite serving his sentence, Ras Bath has since been re-indicted on additional charges, including « criminal association, » « defamation of the state, » and « regionalist, racist, and religious crimes, » and remains in pre-trial detention.
In September 2023, activist and transitional council member Adama Diarra, known as « Ben le Cerveau, » was arrested after advocating for a return to civilian constitutional rule. He was charged with « defamation of the state » and 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 transitional council member, was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2024 after questioning the authenticity of a statement by Burkinabé authorities regarding a coup attempt. He was arrested following a complaint filed by Burkina Faso and charged with « public insult of a foreign head of state. »
Background
Mali has been under military rule since the 2020 coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The initially planned 18-month transition has been extended three times, most recently in April 2025, when the government announced the dissolution of all political parties and an additional five-year transition period.
