Moussa Mara, Mali‘s former prime minister(PM), has been charged with “undermining the credibility of the state” following a social media post about his visits to political prisoners. Mara held the post of prime minister for eight months from 2014 to 2015. He was previously summoned for questioning after a July 4 post on X, where he spoke of visiting prisoners and promising to ensure them justice.
In the post, Mara wrote, “As long as the night lasts, the sun will obviously appear!” and added, “We will fight by all means for this to happen as soon as possible!” This statement has been interpreted as a call for the release of political prisoners and a push for democratic reforms in Mali. Mara’s lawyers condemned the proceedings in a statement on Friday, and his trial is scheduled for September 29.
Mara’s arrest is the latest in a crackdown on dissent by Mali’s military rulers, who seized power nearly four years ago. General Assimi Goita has led Mali since orchestrating two coups in 2020 and 2021. In June, he was granted an additional five years in power, despite earlier promises of a return to civilian rule by March 2024. This move followed the military’s dissolution of political parties in May, citing “reasons of public order”.
Abdoulaye Yaro, a close associate of Mara, said the former prime minister was arrested after a cybercrime prosecutor ordered his detention pending trial for expressing compassion for people jailed for political beliefs. Mara’s lawyer, Mountaga Tall, said the former prime minister faces charges including undermining state authority, inciting public disorder, and spreading false information. Mara’s legal team is contesting the charges and detention.
This development is part of a broader trend of political instability in Mali, a landlocked nation in Africa’s semi-arid Sahel region. The country has been embroiled in political turmoil that has swept across West and Central Africa over the last decade.