A court in Abidjan sentenced a Malian lawmaker to three years behind bars on Friday for making derogatory comments about President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast.
Mamadou Hawa Gassama, who serves in Mali’s transitional parliament, labeled the veteran Ivorian leader an 'enemy of Mali' during a Malian media interview held in September 2022.
The diplomatic relationship between Mali and Ivory Coast has been strained since a series of coups occurred in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in General Assimi Goita assuming control in Bamako.
Ouattara has been a vocal critic of these coups, which have disrupted several nations in West Africa's Sahel region over the past few years.
Gassama was apprehended following a visit to Ivory Coast in July and taken into custody.
He was charged with 'insulting' the President and 'circulating offensive comments online'.
The Abidjan court sentenced him to a three-year imprisonment, after which he will also face a residency ban for the same duration. Additionally, he has been fined.
Gassama's attorney, Mamadou Ismaila Konate, remarked to journalists that the ruling is 'excessive' and labeled it a 'serious and very harsh' punishment.
Known for his outspoken nature, Gassama previously served as an opposition member during the tenure of Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was ousted in a 2020 military coup.
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