Mali: Journalist jailed for an article criticizing the Minister of Justice

Alfousseini Togo’s arrest provokes a wave of indignation in media circles

In Mali, Alfousseini Togo, editor of the newspaper Le Canard de la Venise, was arrested on April 9 and remanded in custody by the Anti-Cybercrime Judicial Pole in Bamako. The arrest followed the publication the previous day of an article entitled “La bourde du ministre Mamoudou Kassogué”, in which the journalist criticized the governance of Mali’s Minister of Justice. He is being prosecuted for attacking the credit of the State, insults and defamation, and will stand trial on June 12.

The article cast doubt on the Minister’s claim that Malians’ confidence in the justice system would have risen from 30% to 72% by 2024. Alfousseini Togo denounced a corrupt judicial system that was subservient to those in power, particularly under the transitional government. In particular, he questions the fate of prisoners held in prolonged detention without trial, as well as opponents forced into exile.

Press and NGOs take up the cause

The arrest immediately sparked condemnation from journalists’ associations in Mali. The National Union of Young Press Editors(Unajep) denounced the detention as motivated by the journalist’s opinions, outside the legal framework relating to the press. “He is doing well, and remains in high spirits”, declared Albadia Dicko, president of Unajep, after visiting him at the Bamako prison.

The Maison de la presse (Press House), an umbrella organization for the country’s main journalists’ organizations, also voiced its concerns, notably about the involvement of the anti-cybercrime unit in cases targeting media professionals. For one of its members, the observations made in the article “are shared by many Malian citizens”.

Press freedom under pressure

The Togo case comes against a backdrop of increasing repression in Mali. In recent years, several civil society figures have been sentenced or detained for their stance, including Ras Bath, Clément Dembélé and Étienne Fakaba Sissoko. Reporters Without Borders denounces this trend, calling it ” abusive detention ” and calling for the journalist’s immediate release.

“The accusations made are vague and disproportionate,” said Sadibou Marong, RSF’s Africa Director, in a press release issued on Thursday evening. A press conference of professional organizations is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the Maison de la presse in Bamako to make their voices heard.