A court in Mali has sentenced the country's former prime minister, Moussa Mara, to two years in prison and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs for a social media post in which he criticized the country's military leaders. Human rights organizations view the verdict as part of a broader crackdown on dissent, writes UNN with reference to Reuters.
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A Malian court sentenced former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison for a social media post criticizing military leaders for shrinking democratic space in the West African nation
Mauntaga Tall, the former official's lawyer, also posted on social media platform X that Mara was also fined 500,000 CFA francs ($887.10).
The Malian government did not comment on the situation, and the prosecution could not be reached, the publication writes.
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As stated, Mara is one of the few public figures who openly question the military government of Assimi Goïta, which earlier this year dissolved political parties and granted itself a new five-year mandate without elections.
Amnesty International said in a statement that Mara's conviction was "part of a broader crackdown on dissent."
Instead of silencing critics, the authorities should stop the escalating repression of peaceful dissent and authoritarian practices."
Malian authorities are facing an escalating threat from a jihadist insurgency. In recent weeks, al-Qaeda-linked militants have reportedly attempted to cut off fuel supplies to the landlocked country, leading to the temporary closure of schools until mid-November.
Earlier, UNN wrote that Mali suspended schooling for two weeks due to an acute fuel shortage caused by a rebel blockade. The country signed an agreement with Russia for the supply of 160-200 thousand tons of oil and agricultural products.