Malian authorities arrest 2 prominent journalists in latest crackdown on freedom of expression

Malian authorities arrested two prominent journalists, Abderhmane Keita and Chahana Takiou, on charges of undermining state credibility and spreading false information. Keita criticized the military's loss of control to jihadists in Kidal, while Takiou opposed a cybercrime law perceived as targeting press freedom. The arrests follow broader crackdowns on dissent under Mali's military leadership amid worsening security and political instability.