Issa Kaou N'Djim was sentenced to two years in prison for remarks made against Burkina Faso's military rulers on a TV program. The case highlights the crackdown on dissent in Mali and the growing tensions within the Sahel region.
A Mali an court jailed a political figure for making critical remarks against the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso , a legal source and his family said. Issa Kaou N'Djim, who previously supported Mali an junta leader Assimi Goita before distancing himself, made the comments during a program aired on local television station Joliba TV News. N'Djim was sentenced by a court in the capital Bamako to two years in prison, one of which was suspended.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of one million CFA francs ($1,600) by the national anti-cybercrime office, the legal source said. Mali authorities closed Joliba TV News in November because of the remarks and handed the private television station a six-month ban earlier this month. N'Djim's jailing follows the disappearance on Saturday morning of another opposition figure, Ibrahim Naby Togola, who was due to hold a press briefing that day. According to a statement from his political party, Togola was abducted by unidentified armed individuals before being taken to an unknown destination in a black vehicle with tinted windows. The 'Call of 20 February 2023 to save Mali' opposition platform, which Togola belonged to, called for his immediate and unconditional release. Mali and Burkina Faso have been ruled by military regimes since coups in 2020 and 2022 respectively and are both embroiled in political and security crises. The military-led governments have taken repressive measures against the press, suspending a number of foreign media outlets and imprisoning or silencing journalists or critics. Together with fellow junta-led Niger, they have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) confederation. N'Djim previously was one of the vice-presidents of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the legislative body of Mali's military rulers. He later said he favoured a rapid end to the so-called transitional period intended to return power to elected civilians
Mali Burkina Faso Military Junta Press Freedom Political Repression
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Burkina Faso military leader sacks government and prime ministerThere are concerns Capt Ibrahim Traoré is trying to cling to power by stalling the return to civilian rule.
Read more »
Ecowas crisis: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger promise visa-free travelBurkina Faso, Mali and Niger say they will allow free movement, as regional bloc meets to discuss their withdrawal.
Read more »
Sudan, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali and Somalia On IRS Emergency Watc...Press Release - Over 82% of those in global humanitarian need live in 20 countries at greatest risk of humanitarian deterioration in 2025.
Read more »
Ghana jihadist threat: Burkina Faso use it as hide-out and smuggling routeBBC Africa speaks exclusively to a man from Ghana who was held captive by insurgents in Burkina Faso.
Read more »
West Africa: Ecowas Gives Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger 6 Months to Reconsider ExitThe Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS has given Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger six months, from January 29 to July 29, 2025, to reconsider their decision to exit the regional bloc.
Read more »
West Africa: ECOWAS Approves Exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina FasoThe Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS has approved the withdrawal of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso from the bloc from January 29, 2025.
Read more »