Mali ex-PM Mara charged over social media post, says lawyer
Mara is one of few public figures in the country willing to openly question moves taken this year to dissolve political parties and grant the military government, led by Assimi Goita, a five-year mandate without elections.
Last month, authorities formally approved Goita's five-year term and said it could be renewed as many times as necessary as Mali struggles to respond to a long-running jihadist insurgency.
Goita assumed power after military coups in 2020 and 2021.
Mara had been summoned several times for questioning recently over a social media post dated July 4 expressing solidarity with government critics who have been jailed.
An unidentified representative of the junta waves from a military vehicle in August 2020 as Malians supporting the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita gather to celebrate. Photo: AP
On July 21, his lawyer, Mountaga Tall, posted on social media site X that Mara had been barred from boarding a flight to Senegal to participate in a regional conference on peace and security.
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