Amnesty International has described the conviction of former Malian prime minister Moussa Mara as a travesty of justice, demanding his immediate release along with other individuals detained solely for their political views. Mr. Mara was handed a two-year prison sentence, with one year firm, and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (approximately 762 euros), including a symbolic 1 franc to the Malian state, on charges that included undermining state credit.
“The conviction and sentencing of Moussa Mara demonstrate the authorities’ persistent disregard for Mali’s human rights obligations under its own Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all of which Mali is a party to,” stated Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
“Instead of stifling critical voices, the authorities must halt the escalating repression of peaceful opposition and authoritarian practices. They must immediately free those currently held simply for expressing their opinions. The authorities are obligated to respect and protect the human rights of everyone in the country, which includes the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”
Moussa Mara, who served as prime minister from April 2014 to January 2015 and heads the opposition party Yéléma, was arrested on August 1st. He faced accusations of “undermining the credit of the State,” “inciting public disorder,” and “opposing legitimate authority.”
His arrest followed a tweet he published on July 4th, in which he expressed solidarity with several detained activists and politicians. In his message, he referred to the current situation as a “night” and pledged to fight “by all means for [the sun to appear].”
“The authorities must stop using arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and the misuse of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful opponents in Mali.”
Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa
A pattern of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances
Numerous journalists and activists have been targeted amidst a broader crackdown on voices deemed critical in Mali.
On May 8, 2025, El Béchir Thiam, a journalist and member of Moussa Mara’s Yéléma party, was abducted by hooded men who identified themselves as intelligence agents. This occurred the day after he publicly criticized the transitional parliament’s decision to grant the military government a new five-year term. Thiam’s whereabouts remained unknown as authorities did not acknowledge his detention. His wife filed a kidnapping complaint on July 17. He was eventually released and allowed to return home on September 26.
Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 as he and his organization, the Platform against Corruption and Unemployment, were preparing a press conference to condemn recurring power outages. Dembélé was accused of making death threats against the head of state, Assimi Goïta, and his family. Although an investigating judge dismissed the charges against him in April 2025 and called for his release, he remains arbitrarily detained.
In August and September 2025, the United Nations independent expert on Mali condemned the enforced disappearance of El Béchir Thiam and the arbitrary arrest of Clément Dembélé, calling for their release.
“The authorities must cease the use of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the weaponization of the criminal justice system to silence peaceful dissent in Mali. They must ensure the right to a fair trial is upheld and respect the rule of law,” said Marceau Sivieude.
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 the deteriorating security situation and the rising cost of living since the military takeover. Accused of “inciting revolt,” “undermining state credit,” and “criminal conspiracy,” she was sentenced to one year in prison in August 2023. Despite having served her sentence, she is still being held in arbitrary detention.
In March 2023, radio host and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as “Ras Bath,” was arrested after describing the death in custody of former prime minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga as an “assassination.” He was sentenced on appeal in August 2023 to 18 months in prison for “simulation of an offense,” essentially for accusing the state of a crime. Although he completed his term, Ras Bath was re-indicted on charges of “criminal conspiracy,” “undermining state credit,” and “crimes of a regionalist, racist, and religious nature” based on the same events, and he remains in pre-trial detention.
In September 2023, activist and National Transitional Council member Adama Diarra, known as “Ben le Cerveau,” was arrested after calling for a return to civilian constitutional rule. He was charged with “undermining state credit” and sentenced to two years in prison. A request for his provisional release filed by his lawyers was denied in February 2025, and Diarra remains arbitrarily detained.
Issa Kaou N’Djim, another former member of the National Transitional Council, received a two-year prison sentence after questioning the validity of a statement by Burkinabè authorities regarding a coup attempt in November 2024. N’Djim was arrested following a complaint from the Burkinabè authorities and charged with “publicly offending a foreign head of state.”
Background
Mali has been under military authority since the 2020 coup against President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The transition period, initially set for 18 months, has been extended three times. In April 2025, the government announced the dissolution of all political parties and a further five-year extension of the transition.
