On Wednesday, Mali’s junta arrested one of the country’s prominent opposition figures, Issa Kaou N’Djim, following remarks he made about the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso. According to N’Djim’s son and a judiciary source, the politician was detained for allegedly insulting a foreign head of state, which is considered a criminal offense under Malian law.

N’Djim, who once supported Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, had distanced himself from the junta in recent years. He had claimed during an interview with Joliba TV News on Sunday that the military leaders of Burkina Faso fabricated evidence of a foiled coup in November. His comments sparked controversy, drawing the attention of Malian authorities who acted swiftly by arresting him on charges of insulting a foreign leader.
A court employee, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, confirmed the arrest and the charges. N’Djim was taken into custody and transferred to the main prison in Mali’s capital, Bamako, according to his son, Ousmane N’Djim. The son further expressed that his father understood the reasons for his arrest as stemming from his political activism. “He knows he is being arrested because of his political struggle,” Ousmane said.
In addition to N’Djim’s arrest, the director of Joliba TV News, the broadcaster that aired the controversial interview, has also been summoned for questioning by Malian authorities.
Mali and Burkina Faso, along with Niger, are part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition of military-ruled nations in the region that have experienced coups in recent years. The AES countries have capitalized on popular dissatisfaction with former democratically elected governments, particularly due to deteriorating security situations exacerbated by escalating attacks from Islamist extremist groups.
N’Djim had previously served as one of the vice presidents of the National Transitional Council (CNT), the legislative body under the military-led government of Mali. However, he later distanced himself from the junta, advocating for a return to civilian rule and electoral democracy. His criticisms of the regime led to a six-month prison sentence in 2021, imposed after he denounced the junta on social media.
In recent years, the security situation in the AES region has worsened significantly, with a surge in attacks by Islamic extremists. In addition, government forces in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have faced accusations of human rights abuses, including killing civilians suspected of collaborating with militants. These regimes have also been cracking down on political opposition, dissent, and journalists.
Malian authorities have recently arrested several political leaders and activists for opposing the military junta. In June, 11 opposition figures were detained, and Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of N’Djim, denouncing his arrest as politically motivated. The organization also raised concerns about the suppression of free speech and political freedoms in the Sahel region.
The ongoing crackdown on political dissent and the growing instability in the Sahel region continue to draw international scrutiny as the governments of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger face increasing challenges in securing their countries from both external and internal threats.