On Monday, Mali's appeal court upheld the prison sentence of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara, who was convicted last year for allegedly undermining the credibility of the state after he expressed support for political prisoners through social media. Mara, who served as prime minister from 2014 to 2015, has been incarcerated since August 1, after being charged with offenses related to his public statements made in July when he stated his intention to seek justice for those incarcerated for their political beliefs.

The court's decision reaffirms a previous judgment that sentenced Mara to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and imposed a fine of 500,000 CFA francs (approximately $908). Following the ruling, Mara's lawyer announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, declaring the conviction to be politically motivated and vowing to continue the fight for his release. The legal proceedings surrounding Mara have sparked discussions about political freedom and the treatment of dissenting voices in Mali.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have expressed serious concerns regarding Mara's conviction. They contend that the charges against him are baseless and politically driven, reflecting a wider trend of suppression of political dissent in Mali. Calls for the authorities to overturn what is seen as a politically motivated conviction highlight ongoing issues surrounding human rights abuses and the freedom of expression in the country, further complicating Mali’s political landscape as the nation grapples with its recent tumultuous history.