Mali: Former Prime Minister faces court trial

Former Malian Prime Minister, Moussa Mara, was reported by Africa News plus agencies to have started his trial on 29th September.

Mara was charged with undermining the state back in August, having been detained for the second time by the national cybercrime unit. He was arrested on behalf of comments he made on X, expressing solidarity with detained political opponents of the state, who he described as “prisoners of conscience”.

Mara was reported to have visited them to ensure “the flame of hope never fades in them”, stating: “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 ex-Prime Minister of Mali’s grounds for incarceration were said to be based on an undermining of the credibility of the state, opposition to legitimate authority and the incitation of public disorder.

Mara previously served as the Prime Minister of the country a decade ago, spending nine months in office. In more recent years, he has become a notable critic of Mali’s military government.

Mali’s junta, a political group that seized control of the state following two coups in 2020 and 2021, was led by General Assimi Goita, who vowed to restore political democracy to the country. Following their rise to power, Goita went against his promises of a democratic election, dissolving all political parties as a response to anti-government protests. Goita proceeded to enforce a law that granted himself a 5-year presidential mandate that can be renewed an unlimited number of times, without election.

Mara’s arrest exists in a tundra of increasing political oppression. Pro-democracy activists such as El Bachir Thiam have been abducted by state security. Meanwhile, another former Prime Minister, Choguel Maiga, faced arrest recently, although his arrest is reported to have been for embezzlement.

Democracy in Mali has become an increasingly concerning issue. Mara’s arrest only worsens these fears, as the reality of restricted free speech and political opposition is becoming more and more tangible across the country.