In Mali, influencer Rokia Doumbia sentenced to one year in prison for denouncing the “failure” of the junta

2023-08-03 09:16:15

Rokia Doumbia, a Malian influencer, was sentenced to one year in prison on Wednesday August 2, after harshly attacking the military in power and their ” failure “, according to her, in the face of insecurity and inflation, indicated her lawyer, Kassoum Tapo. She must also pay a fine of 1 million CFA francs (1,500 euros). “We appealed”told AFP Me Tapo.

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In Mali, a Sahelian country facing multifaceted violence – including jihadist attacks – dissenting voices are struggling to be heard without risking being worried under the regime of the colonels in power since 2020. Rokia Doumbia, known for her commitment against the dear life and very popular on social networks, was prosecuted for “contempt of the Head of State”, “incitement to revolt” and “disturbing public order through the use of information and communication technologies. communication “.

“Under your governance, things are not going well”she launched in March in a « live » on TikTok to the address of the head of the junta, Colonel Assimi Goïta, before being imprisoned. “This transition is a failure with 0% [de résultats]. I would not even give 1%, but 0%”she said, speaking of the period of military government supposed to precede the return, announced for 2024, of civilians at the head of the country. “No Malian lives in peace”she added while the authorities regularly claim to have taken the initiative against the jihadists. “Insecurity is gaining ground everywhere”she had said.

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A relative of Rokia Doumbia, speaking on condition of anonymity – like many interlocutors now – said that she had been reported to the authorities by the Collective for the Defense of the Military (CDM). The appeals of this organization, one of the most offensive supporters of the junta, are often followed by effect.

The World with AFP