Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara was sentenced to two years in prison for a social media post criticizing Mali’s military rulers’ suppression of dissent.
A court in Mali has sentenced former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison for a social media post that criticized the country’s military leaders for curbing democratic freedoms, his lawyer confirmed on Monday October 27, 2025.
The ruling marks one of the most high-profile convictions under Mali’s military government, which has increasingly clamped down on dissent since seizing power in a series of coups beginning in 2020.
Mara, who served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015, had accused the military rulers of undermining political pluralism after they dissolved all political parties earlier this year and extended their rule for another five years without holding elections.
His lawyer, Mountaga Tall, announced the verdict on social media platform X, saying that the court also imposed a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (around $884).
Rights group Amnesty International condemned the sentence, describing it as part of a “broader crackdown on freedom of expression” in Mali. The organization cited several recent cases of journalists, opposition figures, and activists detained for publicly criticizing the junta.
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“Instead of muzzling critics, the authorities must stop their escalating repression of peaceful dissent and authoritarian practices,” Amnesty said in a statement.
Mali’s authorities have not issued an official response to the court’s decision, and prosecutors could not be reached for comment.
The West African nation has been under military rule since General Assimi Goïta led a coup in 2020, followed by another in 2021. The junta initially pledged to restore civilian governance through elections, but that transition has since been delayed.
The ruling against Mara comes amid worsening security and humanitarian conditions. Islamist insurgents linked to al-Qaeda have intensified attacks, including efforts to block fuel deliveries to parts of the landlocked country. The shortages have forced schools in several regions to close until mid-November, worsening daily life for civilians already caught in years of conflict.
Observers say Mara’s conviction highlights the narrowing political space in Mali and the increasing risks faced by those who challenge the junta’s authority, even through peaceful or online expression.