A Malian appeal court has upheld the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara, confirming a controversial ruling that has drawn widespread international condemnation. On Monday, February 9, 2026, a judge in the Bamako Court of Appeal reaffirmed Mara’s sentence of two years in jail, with one year suspended, along with a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.
Mara, who served as prime minister for eight months between 2014 and 2015, was convicted on charges of “undermining the credibility of the state and opposing legitimate authority.” The legal battle stems from a July 2025 social media post in which Mara expressed solidarity with political prisoners and promised to fight for their justice. He has been in custody since August 1, 2025, and remained impassive as the court delivered its final decision on the appeal.
Amnesty International has described the proceedings as a “travesty of justice,” labeling the charges as politically motivated. Marceau Sivieude, the organization’s regional director for West and Central Africa, stated that Mara’s persecution is part of a broader trend of repression by Mali’s military junta, which has increasingly weaponized the judicial system to silence critics, journalists, and opposition figures.
The military government, led by General Assimi Goïta, has intensified its crackdown on dissent since coming to power in successive coups in 2020 and 2021. This latest ruling follows the recent dissolution of several political parties and the indefinite postponement of elections. Mara’s legal team, led by Mountaga Tall, has vowed to take the case to Mali’s Supreme Court, insisting that their fight for justice is far from over.
The upholding of Mara’s sentence signals a tightening grip on power by the junta. As one of the few prominent figures willing to challenge the military leadership, Mara’s imprisonment serves as a stark reminder of the narrowing space for political pluralism and freedom of expression in the Sahel region.
