The hammer of military justice has once again come down heavily. Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, widely recognized as Ras Bath, and the influential Rokia Doumbia, known to many as Rose « la vie chère », have been handed a ten-year prison sentence by a Bamako court. This includes three years with a suspended term, translating to seven years of firm imprisonment.

Prosecuted for « criminal association » and « undermining state credit », the prominent radio commentator and the activist advocating against the high cost of living are now paying a significant price for their repeated critiques aimed at Mali’s transitional authorities, led by General Assimi Goïta.

A growing list of public and political figures in Mali

Far from an isolated incident, this dual conviction is part of a broader, systematic crackdown within Mali, where any dissenting voice inevitably finds itself behind bars:

• Intimidation tactics for political figures

  Economist and former presidential advisor Étienne Fakaba Sissoko is currently serving a prison sentence for publishing a book that critically examined Mali’s transitional governance. Before his case, former Justice Minister Malick Coulibaly, along with several leaders of opposition parties, faced prosecution or arbitrary detention.

• Civil society actors and activists targeted

  Clément Dembélé, a leading figure in the fight against corruption in Mali, experienced detention after questioning the strategic choices made by those in power. Numerous other social media activists have seen their accounts suspended or their freedoms curtailed for simple online posts concerning Mali’s security or economic conditions.

• A heavy hand on the press and media

  Local journalists operating within Mali endure constant threats of arrest or broadcast suspension, while several major international media outlets remain banned from Malian territory.

Democracy stifled in the name of official discourse

For the legal team representing Ras Bath and Rose « la vie chère », this verdict unequivocally confirms the instrumentalization of Mali’s judicial system to suppress all forms of public debate. While the defense promptly announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court, the situation remains deeply concerning: in Mali, questioning the cost of living or military governance now appears to be treated as a state crime.