Mali detains second journalist in 24 hours amid deteriorating freedoms

Malian authorities arrested journalist Abderrahmane Keita, director of the weekly Le Témoin, on Tuesday. This marks the second detention of a journalist in 24 hours and occurs within a context of deteriorating press freedom in the country.

Judicial sources informed EFE that Keita was placed in pre-trial detention on charges of "attacking national unity and the credibility of the state" and "publishing false and misleading information." He is scheduled to be tried on August 17.

The arrest stems from publications in which Keita questioned the government's control over areas in northern Mali, territories currently influenced by secessionist and jihadist groups, according to the same judicial sources. Authorities contend that this information harms the state's unity and image.

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attacking national unity and the credibility of the state and publishing false and misleading information.

This detention follows the arrest of another journalist, Chahana Takiou, director of the weekly 22 Septembre, in Bamako just 24 hours prior. Takiou was detained for allegedly "attacking the credibility of the state" after criticizing the independence of the judiciary during an international press forum in Bamako.

Malian press organizations and unions have expressed alarm over these two arrests. La Maison de la Presse, representing the press sector, voiced its "concern" over Keita's detention and reaffirmed its commitment to press freedom, freedom of expression, and the right to information. The organization called for respect for the rights of defense and for a fair and equitable trial.

Mali, grappling with violence and political instability since the 2020 coup, has seen its military authorities intensify harassment against the press. This includes numerous detentions of critical local journalists and the withdrawal of accreditation from correspondents of international media outlets. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Mali ranks 121st out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, a decline from previous years.

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attacking the credibility of the state