The eleven Malian political opponents arrested earlier this month have been sent to prison. Divided into two groups, they have been held in Koulikoro and a new prison near Bamako. Families and human rights groups have called the move a serious setback for a country where the junta has suspended all political activities.
They are accused of attacks, conspiracy against the government, opposition to legitimate authority and breach of public order, but have not yet been tried. Ousmane Diallo, a researcher at Amnesty International, said the arrests show a pattern of abuse of civil and political rights in Mali.
This NGO denounced the repression of opponents, the dissolution of political parties and the ban on all political activities, criticizing the use of force to prevent citizens from expressing their opinions. In April, the junta suspended all activities of political parties and associations. The political parties appealed this decision, but the date of the review of this appeal by the Supreme Court remains uncertain.
Alioune Tine, founder of the AfrikaJom Center and UN expert, clarified that the security crisis can only be resolved through respect for political pluralism and not through repression, adding that the junta is pushing the country towards a political impasse. In early June, a coalition of parties opposed to the junta called for protests against the electricity shortage and the cost of living, while demanding a return to constitutional order.
Yeri Bocoum, the only activist to cover the event, was kidnapped by armed men on June 8, his family having had no news of him since. The Malian authorities are criticized for their authoritarian management, while the repression against dissidents arouses concern among the international community and human rights defenders.
