Malian Economist and Professor Goes To Jail for Criticizing Military Junta.

By Caroline Ameh

Professor Étienne Fakaba Sissoko, a prominent economist, has been handed a two-year jail sentence, with one year suspended, for his vocal criticism of the country’s military junta.

The 41-year-old academic, who has been in custody since March, was also slapped with a fine of 3 million CFA francs ($4,900; £3,900) after being found guilty of defamation and damaging the state’s reputation by allegedly disseminating fake news.

Sissoko’s conviction stems from his publication of a book last year titled “Propaganda, Agitation and Harassment – government communication during the transition in Mali,” where he accused the junta of utilizing manipulation and misinformation to sway public opinion in its favor. Despite defending his work as fact-based in court, Sissoko’s pleas fell on deaf ears, as the judiciary sided with the military rulers.

The crackdown on Sissoko is viewed by human rights groups as part of a wider campaign to stifle dissent and silence political opponents of the military regime, which came to power in August 2020 following the overthrow of then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta amid mass protests over his handling of jihadist insurgency.

Critics argue that the junta has failed to honor agreed-upon timelines for transitioning to democratic civilian rule, with repeated postponements of scheduled elections and a perceived lack of progress in addressing the country’s security and economic challenges.

Sissoko’s lawyer, Ibrahim Marhouf Sacko, has vowed to appeal the verdict, highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and democratic freedoms in Mali. The imprisonment of Sissoko adds to a growing list of government critics and activists who have been targeted by the junta, including social media influencer Rokia Doumbia and activist Adama Ben Diarra.

The junta’s recent suspension of political activities and imposition of a media blackout on political coverage in April further underscores the tightening grip of authoritarianism in Mali.

As calls for an extension of the transition period continue to surface, the fate of democracy in the West African nation hangs in the balance amidst escalating repression and disregard for fundamental rights and principles.