Moussa Mara, the former Prime Minister of Mali, has been sentenced to one year in prison and an additional one-year suspended sentence for “undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority”.
The sentence, handed down by the National Cybercrime Centre court in Bamako, also includes a fine of 500,000 CFA francs ($887).
Mara’s conviction stems from a social media post in July, where he expressed support for political prisoners and promised justice. The post was seen as a challenge to the military junta that has ruled Mali since 2021.
Mara has been in prison since August 1, and his lawyer, Mountaga Tall, has vowed to appeal the decision, stating, “It’s not over… We will consult with our client and decide on the next steps”.
This development is the latest example of Mali’s government cracking down on dissent and criticism.
Since the military junta took power, the government has ramped up repression, including measures against the press and dissolving political parties.
