Mali Shuts Down Critics with Severe Sentences, Including Etienne Fakaba Sissoko

A court in Mali has sentenced economist and lecturer Dr. Etienne Fakaba Sissoko to two years in prison and a fine of 3 million CFA Francs for charges including harming the reputation of the state, defamation, and spreading false news. The charges stem from his book criticizing the military government’s use of propaganda.

Before his arrest on March 25, 2024, Sissoko had called for democratic elections to be held this year, as promised by the junta after seizing power. His arrest followed a crackdown on Colonel Alpha Yaya Sangaré, who was detained for highlighting military abuses in his book.

Freedom of expression in Mali is under threat, with increasing detentions and disappearances of dissenting voices. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has condemned Sissoko’s sentencing and called for his release, urging Malian authorities to uphold citizens’ right to expression for inclusive governance.

The cases of Sissoko and Sangaré highlight the challenges faced by those who speak out against the government in Mali. As the country grapples with political instability and human rights violations, the need for protection of free speech and dissenting voices becomes more crucial than ever.