Mali: Detained and convicted activists must be released

On August 17, activists Rokiatou Doumbia and Mohamed Youssouf Bathily were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Three years of their sentences were suspended. They were convicted of “criminal conspiracy” and “discrediting the state.” Their cases highlight the growing repression of dissent in Mali.

The convictions violate their right to freedom of expression. The authorities must release both activists immediately and unconditionally.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the Minister of Justice and Human Rights urging him to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Rokiatou Doumbia and Ras Bath.
• Bring Mali’s laws and practices into line with its regional and international human rights obligations, particularly the right to freedom of expression.

Write to:
Minister of Justice and Human rights
Mr Mamoudou Kassogué
Cite administrative – bâtiment 12, BP 97 Bamako, Mali
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Minister,

And copy:
Mr. Amadou Diallo
Minister-Counsellor & Chargé d’affaires, a.i.
Embassy of the Republic of Mali
50 Goulburn Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1N 8C8
Tel: (613) 232-1501 Fax: (613) 232-7429
Email: [email protected]

Who are Rokiatou Doumbia and Ras Bath?

Rokiatou Doumbia is an activist and social media influencer from Mali. Through her TikTok account, she created a space for her 175,000 followers to discuss daily hardships and rising food prices. Her online presence earned her the nickname “Rose Poivron” (“Bell Pepper Rose”).

Ras Bath is a radio host, commentator and activist. He has openly discussed Mali’s economic hardships, inflation and shrinking civic space.

Arrests and earlier convictions

On March 13, 2023, police arrested Rokiatou Doumbia in Bamako, Mali’s capital. The arrest followed a TikTok video in which she spoke about the rising cost of living and described the political transition as a “failure.”

Ras Bath was arrested on the same day. During a meeting, he had claimed that former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, who died in detention in 2022, had been assassinated.

On August 2, 2023, a court sentenced Doumbia to one year in prison and a fine of one million CFA francs (about US$1,700). The charges included “incitement to revolt” and “disturbing public order through the use of information and communication technologies.” The Court of Appeal acquitted her in July 2024. However, she remained in prison over separate charges of “criminal conspiracy” and “discrediting the state.”

Ras Bath was tried in July 2023 for “simulating a crime.” He was acquitted, but the prosecution appealed. In March 2024, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with nine months suspended. Despite the acquittal and subsequent proceedings, he also remained in detention over the separate charges.

Ten-year sentences

On August 10, prosecutors alleged that Doumbia and Ras Bath were “in association” with each other. They cited two occasions when Ras Bath had invited Doumbia onto his radio show.

On August 17, the criminal chamber of the Bamako Court of Appeal convicted both activists of “criminal conspiracy” and “discrediting the state.” They were sentenced to 10 years in prison, with three years suspended.

Their convictions are linked to their activism and criticism of the authorities. This violates their right to freedom of expression. Detaining or imprisoning people for peacefully exercising their human rights is arbitrary.

Mali is a state party to both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These treaties protect the right to freedom of expression.

Shrinking civic space in Mali

Civic space in Mali has continued to shrink in recent years. Authorities have restricted freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information and freedom of association.

Military officers have governed Mali since 2021. They took power from the democratically elected government of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta after protests in 2020. In May 2021, they also removed the civilian transitional authorities following disagreements over the political transition.

Since 2022, opposition leaders, activists and human rights defenders who have publicly criticized the transitional authorities have faced arbitrary arrest, detention and prosecution.

Ras Bath has faced repeated targeting by the authorities. In August 2016, he was arrested for allegedly “inciting troops to disobey” and released two days later. In July 2017, he was sentenced in absentia to 12 months in prison while he was abroad, but did not serve the sentence.

In December 2020, authorities arrested him again over an alleged plot against the transitional government. The proceedings were later dismissed for lack of evidence, and he was released in April 2021.

Please take action as soon as possible until March 1, 2027. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.