Mali arrests two journalists in latest press freedom crackdown
8 reported
Malian authorities have arrested two prominent journalists in the past two days, according to the main press association in Mali, “Maison de La Presse.” The arrests mark the latest crackdown on freedom of expression by the country’s military leadership during a security crisis. Abderhmane Keita was arrested on charges of “undermining national unity and the credibility of the State” and “dissemination of false and misleading information.” Keita had said on his TV program “Grand Jury” that the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group controls the town of Kidal, which was seized by JNIM and separatists during major coordinated attacks in Mali in April. The day before, Chahana Takiou, a television presenter and editor-in-chief of the newspaper “22 Septembre,” was arrested on charges of “undermining the credibility of the State through the judicial system.” Takiou had recently criticized the authorities’ application of a cybercrime law, claiming it represents an attack on press freedom. Mali, alongside Niger and Burkina Faso, has been ruled by military leaders who took power by force and have cracked down on political dissent and journalists.
What’s reported
Malian authorities arrested two prominent journalists in the past two days, according to the “Maison de La Presse” press association.
Abderhmane Keita was arrested on charges of “undermining national unity and the credibility of the State” and “dissemination of false and misleading information.”
Keita had said on his TV program “Grand Jury” that the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group controls the town of Kidal.
Chahana Takiou was arrested a day earlier on charges of “undermining the credibility of the State through the judicial system.”
Takiou had recently criticized the authorities’ application of a cybercrime law, claiming it represents an attack on press freedom.
In January 2025, Malian authorities banned the sale of the Pan-African magazine Jeune Afrique.
Several French media outlets, including France24, TV5 Monde, and Radio France International, are banned from broadcasting in Mali.
Several opposition leaders have been imprisoned for criticizing the military regime.
Key figures
Abderhmane Keita, journalist arrested on charges related to national unity and false information
Chahana Takiou, television presenter and editor-in-chief of “22 Septembre,” arrested on charges related to undermining state credibility
“Maison de La Presse,” the main press association in Mali
Sources: abcnews.com
