On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Moussa Mara appeared before a court in Mali’s capital, Bamako, where judges denied his lawyers’ request for bail. In a troubling move reflective of the ongoing repression of political dissent, the prosecution is pushing for a two-year prison sentence against Mara, following his arrest on August 1.
Mara, who served as prime minister for a brief period between 2014 and 2015, was detained after posting a message on social media that expressed solidarity with Malian political prisoners and pledged to advocate for their justice. The authorities have charged him with undermining the state’s credibility, opposing legitimate authority, inciting public disorder, and disseminating false information. His trial commenced on September 29 in a specialized national cybercrime court, with a ruling expected on October 27. However, there are growing concerns regarding the fairness and integrity of the proceedings.
Legal experts argue that the charges levied against Mara blatantly infringe upon the rights to free expression. A member of his legal team stated, “These charges have nothing to do with the message Mara published on X. This is a trial against the right to freedom of expression.” Mounkaïla Yayé, President of the Bar and another member of Mara’s legal team, warned, “It can create a dangerous precedent.”
Since seizing power in a coup in 2021, the military junta led by General Assimi Goita has systematically suppressed political opposition and curtailed civic and media freedoms in Mali. This regime has gone so far as to ban all political parties and has resorted to intimidating, jailing, and forcibly disappearing journalists and human rights activists. In a bold move to consolidate power, General Goita has avoided holding elections, further delaying the return to democratic civilian governance.
The junta has also shown a blatant disregard for accountability, neglecting its international legal responsibilities to investigate serious human rights violations committed by security forces and to hold perpetrators accountable. In January, Mali officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), along with Burkina Faso and Niger, effectively stripping citizens of the ability to seek justice for human rights abuses through the ECOWAS Court of Justice. More recently, in September, these three nations announced their intent to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) treaty, a decision that threatens to further erode access to justice for victims of heinous crimes.
Mara’s arrest underscores the junta’s alarming intolerance for any dissent, highlighting that even the simple act of expressing solidarity with those facing repression can lead to severe consequences. The situation raises urgent calls for the Mali government to drop all charges against Mara and to release him, along with all individuals who remain arbitrarily detained. Respect for the right to freedom of expression must be prioritized to ensure a future where dissent is not met with persecution.
