Mali's military government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, now charging former prime minister Moussa Mara with undermining the state due to his social media posts advocating for prisoners of conscience.
Mali's Former Prime Minister Faces Charges Amid Criticism of Military Rule
Mali's Former Prime Minister Faces Charges Amid Criticism of Military Rule
Mali's ex-prime minister, Moussa Mara, is charged with undermining state credibility after criticizing the military junta and supporting detained opposition figures.
Mali's political landscape has become increasingly fraught as the military government tightens its grip on dissent. Moussa Mara, who served a brief tenure as prime minister nearly ten years ago, has become a vocal critic of the ruling military junta, which has been in power since a series of coups in 2020 and 2021.
The situation escalated this past July when Mara visited opposition leaders currently in detention. Following that visit, he posted on social media platform X, expressing "unwavering solidarity with prisoners of conscience." His remarks were a direct challenge to the junta's narrative, which culminated in his detention and an inquiry by the national cybercrime unit regarding his post from July 4.
During his social media address, Mara vowed to ensure that "the flame of hope never fades in them," as he detailed his commitment to visiting the detainees. He emphasized that "as long as the night lasts, the sun will inevitably rise! And we will fight by all means to make that happen, and as soon as possible!"
The charges leveled against Mara include undermining the credibility of the state, opposing legitimate authority, and inciting public disorder. These accusations reflect an increasingly repressive approach by the ruling military government, which previously dissolved all political parties in May amid public unrest.
A trial date has been set for September 29, as the junta seeks to suppress political voices dissenting against its rule. Military leader Gen Assimi Goïta was recently given a five-year term in office by the transitional parliament, a mandate that can be renewed without elections. Initially promising to restore electoral democracy, his leadership has instead reinforced the restrictions on political opposition in Mali, a country facing ongoing turmoil.
The situation escalated this past July when Mara visited opposition leaders currently in detention. Following that visit, he posted on social media platform X, expressing "unwavering solidarity with prisoners of conscience." His remarks were a direct challenge to the junta's narrative, which culminated in his detention and an inquiry by the national cybercrime unit regarding his post from July 4.
During his social media address, Mara vowed to ensure that "the flame of hope never fades in them," as he detailed his commitment to visiting the detainees. He emphasized that "as long as the night lasts, the sun will inevitably rise! And we will fight by all means to make that happen, and as soon as possible!"
The charges leveled against Mara include undermining the credibility of the state, opposing legitimate authority, and inciting public disorder. These accusations reflect an increasingly repressive approach by the ruling military government, which previously dissolved all political parties in May amid public unrest.
A trial date has been set for September 29, as the junta seeks to suppress political voices dissenting against its rule. Military leader Gen Assimi Goïta was recently given a five-year term in office by the transitional parliament, a mandate that can be renewed without elections. Initially promising to restore electoral democracy, his leadership has instead reinforced the restrictions on political opposition in Mali, a country facing ongoing turmoil.
