Bamako, Mali (AP) — A prominent political activist, whose family was alleged to be targeted by Mali’s military authorities, was freed after being detained for a month, according to his parents on Sunday.
Arsen Aba, a leader of a former political party, was dropped off along a road in Mali’s capital, Bamako, last Thursday, his son, Alfuseini Giannatta Arsen, informed The Associated Press.
“We can’t confirm their involvement, but we suspect the intelligence agency was behind the summons,” he stated.
The Intelligence Reporting Agency in Mali did not provide comments to the media regarding these incidents, and other government representatives could not offer immediate insights.
Aba, who served as the secretary general of the Kodem Party, was apprehended on May 9th shortly after he opposed the infringement of citizens’ rights amidst the crackdown on the ruling regime, which has not conducted elections since the coup in 2021.
His arrest occurred during democracy demonstrations in Bamako, which criticized the increasing dictatorship under the junta and demanded a return to democratic governance. Numerous politicians remain detained after voicing opposition to the military government.
Mali, a landlocked country in the semi-arid Sahel region, has been engulfed in political and security instability over the past decade, affecting both West and Central Africa.
The nation has experienced two military coups since 2020, while insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have worsened the situation. The detainment of democratic activists has surged in response to protests.
In May, General Assimi Gaita, the president of the transitional government, enacted a law regarding the dissolution of political parties following protests from hundreds of democratic activists.
Source: apnews.com