Mali Junta Arrests Top Politician for Criticizing Neighboring Burkina Faso Regime

Mali’s ruling junta has arrested Issa Kaou N’Djim, a prominent politician and former supporter of the military leadership, on charges of insulting the head of state of neighboring Burkina Faso, The Associated Press reports.

The arrest, which comes amid growing tensions between the two countries, has drawn condemnation from international human rights groups.

N’Djim, who previously served as vice president of Mali’s National Transitional Council, was detained Wednesday after criticizing the military regime in Burkina Faso on national television. He had accused the junta of fabricating evidence of a foiled coup attempt in September, casting doubt on the legitimacy of their claims.

The arrest was confirmed by N’Djim’s son, Ousmane N’djim, who stated that his father was being targeted for his political activism. “He knows he is being arrested because of his political struggle,” Ousmane N’djim said.

A judiciary source, speaking anonymously, confirmed the arrest and stated that N’Djim was facing charges of insulting a foreign head of state, a crime punishable by law in Mali. The director of the television station, Joliba TV News, where N’Djim made his comments, was also summoned for interrogation.

N’Djim had previously distanced himself from Mali’s military junta, advocating for a return to democratic elections. In 2021, he was sentenced to six months in prison for criticizing the junta on social media.

The arrest of N’Djim has raised concerns about the growing crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression in Mali. The country, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, has been ruled by military regimes since coups in 2020 and 2022. All three countries have faced increasing insecurity due to the activities of Islamic extremist groups, and the juntas have been accused of human rights abuses while cracking down on opposition figures and journalists.

Amnesty International has called for N’Djim’s immediate release, condemning the arrest as a clear attempt to silence dissent.