Rantburg

Today's Front Page   View All of Wed 05/28/2025 View Tue 05/27/2025 View Mon 05/26/2025 View Sun 05/25/2025 View Sat 05/24/2025 View Fri 05/23/2025 View Thu 05/22/2025
2024-05-22 Africa North
Mali court jails professor for criticizing government
[AFRICANEWS] A court in Mali has sentenced 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 plans to appeal.

Sissoko, a professor at the University of Bamako, faced charges of harming the state's reputation, defamation, and spreading misinformation for his 2023 book on government communication during Mali's transition.

THE BOOK
According to reports, the book critically examines the military government’s use of what it terms 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.

Subsequently, at the May 6 hearing, Sissoko defended his work stating his use of factual evidence and expert analysis.

THROWBACK
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,
a hangover is the wrath of grapes...
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 neighbouring West African nations.

BACKGROUND
Mali has been grappling with political and security instability since 2012, facing attacks from krazed killers, gangs, and a separatist movement in the north.

Posted by Fred 2024-05-22 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11142 views ]  Top
 File under: Tin Hat Dictators, Presidents for Life, & Kleptocrats 

09:43 Mullah Richard
09:27 Warthog
09:11 Mercutio
09:07 AlmostAnonymous5839
08:52 Matt
08:24 Matt
08:20 SteveS
07:43 Procopius2k
07:42 BrerRabbit
07:42 Procopius2k
07:39 Procopius2k
07:36 Procopius2k
07:35 Procopius2k
07:34 trailing wife
07:31 Procopius2k
07:30 NN2N1
07:22 NN2N1
07:18 trailing wife
07:14 Richard Aubrey
07:10 NN2N1
07:09 Besoeker
07:03 NN2N1
06:58 NN2N1
06:58 Besoeker









Paypal:
Google
Search WWW Search rantburg.com