Former Mali Prime Minister Moussa Mara Jailed Over Social Media Post Supporting Political Prisoners

A court in Bamako has sentenced former Mali Prime Minister Moussa Mara to one year in prison over a social media post expressing support for political prisoners.

The verdict, delivered on Monday by the National Cybercrime Centre court, also includes a one-year suspended sentence for “undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority.”

Mara, who served as Mali’s prime minister from 2014 to 2015, was arrested on August 1 after sharing a post in July stating that he had met with detained political figures and promised to seek justice for them.

Witnesses from AFP reported that Mara remained calm as the judgment was read. Prosecutors had pushed for a 24-month sentence. In addition to the jail term, the court ordered him to pay a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (about $887).

“It’s not over,” Mara’s lawyer, Mountaga Tall, said after the verdict. “We will consult with our client and decide on the next steps.”

A close friend of Mara, who spoke anonymously, said the outcome came as no surprise. “We expected it… Tell me, what crime did he commit?” the source asked.

Mali has been under military rule since coups in 2020 and 2021. The junta has been accused of silencing dissent, curbing press freedom, and dissolving political parties as it tightens its grip on power.