Mali's junta arrested politician Issa Kaou N'Djim for criticizing Burkina Faso's military rulers, accusing him of insulting a foreign head of state. N'Djim, a former supporter of Mali’s military government, had previously distanced himself from the regime. His arrest highlights ongoing political repression in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which are all ruled by military juntas. Amnesty International has called for his release.

Mali's junta arrested one of the country's top politicians on Wednesday for criticizing the military rulers of neighboring Burkina Faso, according to his son and a judiciary source.

Issa Kaou N'Djim, a former supporter of Mali's current military leader, Col. Assimi Goita, who had distanced himself from the junta, was arrested on charges of insulting a foreign head of state. This is considered a criminal offense in Mali, as reported by a court employee who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

N'Djim had stated on Sunday during an interview with Joliba TV News that the military leadership in Burkina Faso, a close ally of Mali, fabricated evidence of a foiled coup attempt in November. Following these remarks, N'Djim was taken into custody and transported to the main prison in Mali's capital, Bamako, on Wednesday. His son, Ousmane N'Djim, confirmed the arrest, saying, “He knows he is being arrested because of his political struggle."

The director of Joliba TV News was also summoned by the authorities for questioning.

Both Mali and Burkina Faso have been under military rule since coups took place in 2020 and 2022, respectively. These military regimes gained power amid widespread dissatisfaction with previous democratically elected governments, particularly regarding security issues. Along with Niger, another country in the region now under junta rule, they have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

N'Djim had previously served as one of the vice presidents of Mali's National Transitional Council (CNT), the country’s legislative body under the junta. However, he later distanced himself from the military government, advocating for a return to electoral democracy. In 2021, N'Djim was sentenced to six months in prison after criticizing the military regime on social media.

The security situation across the AES countries has significantly deteriorated in recent years, with analysts noting a record number of attacks by Islamic extremists. Government forces have been accused of killing civilians suspected of collaborating with militants and of suppressing political dissent and journalists. In June, Malian authorities arrested eleven opposition politicians and several activists.

Amnesty International has called for N'Djim’s release in a post on the social media platform X.