The stern hand of military justice has once again made its presence felt in Mali. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, widely recognized as Ras Bath, and the influential Rokia Doumbia, known to her followers as Rose « la vie chère » (Rose ‘the expensive life’), have received a ten-year prison sentence from a Bamako tribunal. This includes three years suspended, translating to seven years of firm incarceration.
Charged with « association de malfaiteurs » (criminal conspiracy) and « atteinte au crédit de l’État » (undermining state credit), the prominent radio commentator and the activist campaigning against the high cost of living are now paying a steep price for their persistent critiques of Mali’s transitional authorities, led by General Assimi Goïta.
A growing list of public and political figures silenced in Mali
Far from being an isolated incident, this dual conviction is indicative of a systematic wave of repression sweeping across Mali, where any dissenting voice inevitably finds itself behind bars:
- Intimidation tactics for politicians: Étienne Fakaba Sissoko, an economist and former presidential advisor, is currently serving a prison sentence after publishing a critical analysis of the transitional government’s management in Mali. Prior to his detention, the former Minister of Justice, Malick Coulibaly, alongside several leaders of opposition parties, faced arbitrary prosecutions or detentions.
- Civil society actors and activists targeted: Clément Dembélé, a leading figure in Mali’s anti-corruption efforts, experienced detention after daring to question the strategic choices made by those in power. Numerous other social media activists have seen their accounts blocked or their freedoms curtailed for merely posting about Mali’s security or economic situation.
- A heavy hand on the press and media: Local journalists operating within Mali endure constant threats of arrest or suspension from airwaves, while several major international media outlets remain banned from Malian territory.
Democracy stifled in the name of official narrative
For the collective of lawyers representing Ras Bath and Rose « la vie chère », this verdict undeniably confirms the instrumentalization of Mali’s judicial power to suppress any form of public debate. While the defense has promptly announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court, the concerning reality persists: in Mali, challenging the cost of living or the military’s governance is now increasingly equated with a state crime.
