Moussa Mara, Mali’s former Prime Minister, has been jailed and charged with “undermining the credibility of the state” following a social media post in which he discussed his recent visit to political prisoners. A statement from the Bamako prosecutor’s office confirmed the charges on Friday.
Mara, who served as Prime Minister for a brief period between 2014 and 2015, was detained after publishing a post on July 4 via X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote about meeting with political detainees and pledging to fight for justice on their behalf.
Authorities allege that Mara’s comments could incite public mistrust in government institutions, describing the post as an attempt to challenge the state’s integrity. His arrest underscores growing tensions in Mali between the military-led government and political opposition figures, amid ongoing concerns about civil liberties and press freedom.
Mara’s legal team has condemned the charges as politically motivated. In a joint statement, his lawyers stated that the proceedings represent a dangerous precedent for free speech in Mali and pledged to issue a more detailed response soon.
The former prime minister remains in custody, with a trial date set for September 29. His case has drawn attention from local and international human rights groups, many of which are calling for his immediate release and a halt to what they describe as escalating repression of dissent.
Mali has experienced political instability since a 2020 military coup, with the transitional government frequently criticized for silencing opposition voices.
More to follow…
