Prominent Mali journalist, influencer jailed for seven years for criticising junta

What the report says

A court in Bamako has sentenced Malian broadcaster Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, widely known as Ras Bath, and influencer Rokia Doumbia to seven years in prison after finding them guilty of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state, France24 Africa reported. The ruling came on Monday and followed criticism they had made of Mali’s military government. The court also imposed three years’ suspended sentences in addition to the jail terms.

According to the report, both defendants had been in custody for years after a 2023 programme in which Bathily discussed the economic difficulties facing ordinary Malians. Their trial opened on August 10 at the Bamako Court of Appeal’s criminal chamber, and AFP said Bathily appeared visibly weakened. Prosecutors argued that he was a threat to the junta and should be kept away from radio and social media, while his lawyers rejected the allegations.

Bathily is a well-known television and radio commentator with a large following, especially among younger Malians. He has previously faced legal trouble over public comments, and France24 noted he was acquitted in July 2023 in a separate case. The latest convictions come amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Mali, where the military took power after coups in 2020 and 2021 and has been accused of restricting political and media freedoms.

Mali has also remained under pressure from long-running insecurity involving jihadist groups, armed separatists and criminal networks, which has complicated the country’s political transition.