The upholding of the sentencing of Mali’s former prime minister Moussa Mara on appeal after his unjust conviction on baseless charges is an affront to justice, Amnesty International said today.
Moussa Mara, leader of the opposition Yéléma party, was arrested on 1 August 2025. He was charged with ‘discrediting the state’, ‘inciting to disturb public order’ and ‘opposition to legitimate authority’ in relation to a post he shared on X expressing his solidarity with detained political and civil society figures he visited in prison.
“Moussa Mara’s case is emblematic of the authorities’ constant attacks against the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and persistent disregard for the rule of law and human rights obligations under Malian constitution, and international human rights treaties to which the country is a state party,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
“We are deeply concerned about the upholding of these bogus and politically motivated charges. The authorities must quash the baseless conviction and sentence and immediately release Moussa Mara. They must also release other people held solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.”
Mara’s persecution is part of a wider trend of repression by the Malian authorities, including by weaponizing the justice system to target their critics.
Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa
A long list of arbitrary detentions
Mara’s case is part of a pattern of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances in Mali already denounced by Amnesty International. In recent years, journalists, politicians, and activists have been targeted in a crackdown on perceived critics.
Activist Rokiatou Doumbia, also known as “Rose Vie Chère” or “Tantie Rose”, and radio broadcaster and activist Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, known as “Ras Bath”, both arrested in March 2023 are still arbitrarily detained although they have served their sentences. They were both charged with ‘discrediting the state’ and ‘criminal conspiracy’ among other baseless charges.
In September 2023, activist and member of the National Transitional Council Adama Diarra, known as “Ben le Cerveau”, was arrested after he called for a return to civilian constitutional rule. He was charged with ‘discrediting the state’ and sentenced to two years in prison. He remains in arbitrary detention.
The Malian authorities must uphold the rule of law and ensure the human rights of everyone in the country.
Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa
Clément Dembélé, an anti-corruption activist, was arrested in November 2023 after being accused of making death threats against Assimi Goïta, the head of state, and his family. He is still arbitrarily detained despite an investigative judge having dismissed the charges and calling for his release.
Issa Kaou N’Djim, another former member of the National Transitional Council, was convicted and sentenced in November 2024 to a two-year prison term for ‘public offense to a foreign head of state’ after questioning a statement made by the authorities of Burkina Faso. He was released after one year of arbitrary detention.
“Mara’s persecution is part of a wider trend of repression by the Malian authorities, including by weaponizing the justice system to target their critics. Instead of muzzling peaceful dissent, the authorities must uphold the rule of law and ensure the human rights of everyone in the country,” said Marceau Sivieude.
Background
On 4 July 2025, Moussa Mara shared a post on X in which he reported visiting detained political and civil society figures. In his tweet, he expressed his “unwavering solidarity” with detainees he qualified as prisoners of opinion and vowed to fight “by all means to make [the sun appear]”, referring to the current repression against critics as the “night”.
Requests for his provisional release were rejected throughout the investigation. Mara had been convicted in the first instance in October 2025 and sentenced to two years in prison, one of which is mandatory, and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (762 euro), including 1 symbolic franc to the Malian state.
Mali has been governed by military-led authorities since 2021. The transition, which was supposed to last 18 months, has been extended. In April 2025, the government announced the dissolution of all political parties and the extension of the transition to another five-year period.
