Bamako, October 27, 2025 – Former Malian Prime Minister Moussa Mara has been sentenced to two years in prison , including one year in prison , and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs . The decision was handed down by the National Cybercrime Unit following a trial involving charges related to his social media posts.

The case dates back to July 4, 2025 , when a message posted on the social network X (formerly Twitter) expressed Moussa Mara's solidarity with prisoners of conscience. This message, followed by visits to certain prisoners, led the authorities to initiate proceedings for undermining the credit of the State, opposing legitimate authority, inciting public disorder and disseminating false news in bad faith likely to disturb public peace. Placed in custody since August 1, 2025 , the former head of government was found guilty of these offenses.

Moussa Mara, Prime Minister of Mali between April 2014 and January 2015 , had recently positioned himself as a critical voice of the regime led by Colonel Assimi Goïta , in power since the 2021 coup. His conviction comes in a political context marked by increased surveillance of public communication and expressions deemed hostile to the junta.

Reactions to the decision have been mixed. Some see it as a strict enforcement of laws governing online communication, while others believe it could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and political debate.

This case takes place in a sensitive political environment, where the Malian authorities claim to want to maintain public order, while several observers call for a balance between national security and freedom of opinion.