Mali: Journalist Detained After Widely Shared Anti-Junta Speech

Malian journalist Chahana Takiou is in detention after openly criticizing the country's ruling junta at a media forum in Bamako. Takiou, who directs the bi-weekly newspaper '22 Septembre,' was summoned by the prosecutor for cybercrime on Monday. He faces charges of 'undermining the credit of the state through the judicial institution,' with his trial scheduled for July 27.

“

There is no dynamic of peace in Mali. You arrest journalists and instead of judging them according to the press regime and press offenses in Mali, it is the cybercrime law that you apply.

The arrest follows Takiou's strong remarks during the Pan-African Media Forum, where he stated, "There is no dynamic of peace in Mali." He criticized the authorities for using cybercrime laws to detain journalists instead of press laws. A video of his statement, widely shared on social media, also showed the prosecutor retorting, "I have five elements in the room, I can have you arrested right now if I want."

“

I have five elements in the room, I can have you arrested right now if I want.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) noted that Takiou offered a "critical and factual analysis regarding the abusive use of the cybercrime law to arrest and detain journalists in the country." Since seizing power in a 2020 coup, Mali's military leaders have imposed strict limits on freedoms, silencing opposition and dissenting voices through coercive measures, judicial proceedings, and the dissolution of political parties. Mali ranks 121st out of 180 countries in RSF's 2026 world press freedom index.

“

The sovereign African narrative does not exist, just as there is no European or Maghrebian narrative. Journalism is the same under all skies.