Grappling with a delicate political situation, Mali once again finds itself at the heart of the news with the arrest of eleven political opponents on June 20, 2024. These opposition political leaders, members of the Declaration of the March 31, were apprehended during a meeting, sparking national and international excitement. While one of them has been released, the ten others are still waiting to appear in court.
The legal period of police custody, limited to forty-eight hours and which can exceptionally be extended up to 72 hours, is exceeded without the opponents having been presented to a prosecutor. The latter are still at the premises of the Judicial Investigation Brigade (BIJ) of the gendarmerie, awaiting developments in the procedure.
Questions remain as to what happened next: none of the arrested opponents formally testified and none was notified of a specific offense. Accused of unauthorized assembly and attempted destabilization, their lawyers decry an empty file and denounce arrests carried out without the required consent.
The members of the March 31 Declaration platform assure that their actions were legal and peaceful, aimed at promoting the democratic process and demanding transparent elections. The suspension of political activities decreed in April by the Malian authorities aroused strong criticism, fueling a climate of distrust and protest.
This case raises essential questions relating to civil and political freedoms, the cornerstone of a democratic state. While the National Human Rights Commission has recalled the importance of these fundamental rights, the international community is carefully observing the evolution of the situation in Mali.
Faced with this potential crisis, it is imperative that the Malian authorities ensure respect for the rule of law and legal guarantees. Transparency, fairness and respect for individual freedoms must guide any action aimed at resolving this political-legal dispute.
In a context marked by instability and tensions, the case of political opponents arrested in Mali highlights the need for constructive dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts. At a time when democracy is being tested, it is essential that political and judicial actors act in the best interests of the country and its citizens.