Ex-Prime Minister Moussa Mara Faces Criminal Charges
Mali charges ex-PM with undermining the state after he posted support for detained opposition figures on social media.
Moussa Mara, who briefly served as prime minister a decade ago, is now facing multiple accusations from the military regime.
On July 4, Mara posted on X (formerly Twitter) about his prison visits to jailed opposition leaders.
He expressed “unwavering solidarity with prisoners of conscience” and vowed to keep hope alive for them.
His message, though peaceful in tone, led to him being summoned twice by Mali’s cybercrime unit.
The authorities interpreted his remarks as inciting unrest and challenging their authority.
Military Junta Cracks Down on Dissent
The junta has ruled Mali since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.
They recently dissolved all political parties in May after rare public protests.
Mara’s post included the words, “As long as the night lasts, the sun will inevitably rise.”
Prosecutors claim that such statements promote resistance against the current leadership.
On Friday, Mara was officially charged with undermining the state, challenging legitimate authority, and inciting public disorder.
He is scheduled to face trial on September 29.
Mali’s Democracy Faces New Roadblocks
Meanwhile, military leader Gen Assimi Goïta was granted a five-year term by the transitional parliament last month.
He took power twice and was made transitional president after the 2021 coup.
Although Goïta promised elections, none have occurred, raising concerns about Mali’s democratic future.
With political critics like Mara now facing trial, the military’s grip on power continues to tighten.
Mali charges ex-PM with undermining the state, a sign of growing tension between military rulers and civil opposition.
