A court in Mali has sentenced a prominent economist, Etienne Fakaba Sissoko, to two years in prison, with one year suspended, for criticizing the military junta in his book.
Sissoko’s lawyer, Ibrahim Marhouf Sacko, announced the verdict and his intention to appeal the decision.
Sissoko, a professor at the University of Bamako, becomes the latest victim of a crackdown on dissent by the colonels who seized power in 2020.
He faced charges of “harming the reputation of the state,” “defamation,” and “spreading misinformation” for his 2023 book titled “Propaganda, Agitation and Harassment, Government Communication During the Transition in Mali.”
The book critically examines the military government’s use of “propaganda, manipulation and even lies” to influence public opinion, particularly during the promised “transition” period leading back to civilian rule.
The junta missed their initial deadline of March 2024 for a return to democracy, with no new date set.
Sissoko defended his work at a May 6th hearing, emphasizing his use of factual evidence and expert analysis.
This isn’t his first run-in with the authorities. In 2022, Sissoko, formerly an advisor to the ousted president, spent months in jail for criticizing the government’s stance on Christmas celebrations and questioning the validity of his academic credentials.
However, Sissoko’s lawyer suggests the real trigger for his recent imprisonment was his public commentary on the economic impact of sanctions imposed on Mali by neighboring West African nations.
Mali has been grappling with political and security instability since 2012, facing attacks from insurgents, armed groups, and a separatist movement in the north.
The recent sentencing of Sissoko raises further concerns about dwindling freedom of expression under the military regime.
