The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights must take swift action to halt the Malian junta’s crackdown on political dissent, as urged by Human Rights Watch. They emphasised the need for immediate attention to cases involving dissidents who have vanished or are detained for political reasons. “Immediate action is crucial to address the enforced disappearance of political figures,” said Allan Ngari from Human Rights Watch. A visit by the Commission would underscore the gravity of these violations.
Since seizing power in a coup in 2021, Mali’s military junta has relentlessly attacked political opposition and civic freedoms, leading to a considerable erosion of democratic space. Authorities have shut down political and civil organisations, executed forced disappearances of critics, and arbitrarily arrested journalists and political activists. This oppressive climate has forced many into exile, stifling any form of dissent.
The plight of critic Daouda Magassa illustrates this crackdown. He was abducted in Bamako on February 5, 2025, by armed men and has since been missing, with the government ignoring inquiries about his whereabouts. His disappearance follows accusations against his political organisation, CMAS, which has been proscribed for allegedly destabilising the country.
Another striking case involves Ibrahim Nabi Togola, leader of the New Vision for Mali party, who was forcibly taken in December 2024 after a planned press conference was cancelled due to fears of arrest. Despite an outcry from his relatives, the government has remained silent regarding his detention.
In March 2024, twelve members of an opposition coalition were arrested, and while some were released, others remain behind bars. Documented injustices include the arbitrary detention of activists revealing military abuses, despite a court order for their release. More recently, political commentator Issa Kaou N’Djim was imprisoned for expressing dissent against other ruling military leaders.
The government has resorted to using exaggerated legal claims to suppress opposition. Forcible disappearances, where state agents arrest or detain individuals without acknowledging their fate, leave families in dire uncertainty. Such tactics expose detainees to severe punishment and threaten their safety.
Mali is bound by international conventions protecting citizens against enforced disappearances and ensuring their right to freedom and security. The junta continues to overlook these commitments with brazen disregard for human rights. Ngari stresses the urgent need for the African Commission to hold the junta accountable and demand adherence to human rights standards across Mali.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is urged to take action against the Malian junta’s repression of political opposition and dissent. Reports indicate forced disappearances and arbitrary arrests are rampant since the 2021 coup. Human Rights Watch highlights specific cases of political figures who have vanished, such as Daouda Magassa and Ibrahim Nabi Togola, underscoring the grave human rights violations in Mali.
The situation in Mali highlights a dire crisis as the military junta escalates its crackdown on dissent and political opposition. Urgent intervention is needed from the African Commission to address the increasing cases of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions. Without immediate response, the fabric of civil rights and political engagement in Mali risks being irrevocably damaged, leaving many at the mercy of an oppressive regime.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
