Journalists Chahana Takiou and Abdrahamane Keïta of Mali were remanded in custody on June 8 and 9, 2026, respectively.
ROADDH has been informed by multiple independent sources of the arrest and detention of two journalists in Mali on June 8 and 9, 2026, respectively.
According to the information gathered, the journalists in question are Chahana Takiou and Abdrahamane Keïta.
Mr. Chahana Takiou is the founder and editor-in-chief of the newspaper *22 septembre*; he is considered an icon of the Malian press. He is one of the veterans of the Malian press and undoubtedly among those men and women who do not hesitate to speak out when it comes to defending the press and individual freedoms.
He was remanded in custody on June 8 by the Anti-Cybercrime Judicial Unit for “undermining the credibility of the State through the judicial system” after concluding, specifically, that this specialized unit had failed to follow the procedures established for press offenses. His trial is scheduled for July 27, 2026.
As for Abdrahamane Keïta of the newspaper “Le Témoin,” he was also placed under a detention warrant on Tuesday, June 9, by the same anti-cybercrime unit, after lamenting that Kidal—which has been under the control of JNIM jihadists and FLA rebels since April 25—is currently“administered”by Iyad Ag Ghaly, leader of JNIM (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims). He faces charges of a “regionalist offense intended to undermine national unity and the credibility of the state” and “the publication and dissemination of false and misleading information with the intent that such information be considered authentic through an information system,” and his case will be heard on August 17.
The two professionals served on the grand jury on a widely watched Renouveau TV program and are being held at the Bamako Central Detention Center.
In a statement, the Maison de la Presse, which brings together Malian media organizations,“strongly”condemned the remand of Chahana Takiou,“which tarnishes the image of the justice system, the press, and our country.” The Maison de la Presse announced“future actions that will be taken against this flagrant and serious violation of freedom of opinion and of the press.”
Comments:
The news of these arrests came as a surprise to everyone, especially since they took place the day after the Pan-African Media Forum held in Bamako, from which some participants had not yet returned to their home countries. The initiative, spearheaded by the Malian Press Association, received strong support from the government, as both parties recognized the role the African press should play in confronting terrorism as it is portrayed in the media.
A troubling trend is taking hold in the national judicial landscape: the charge of “undermining the credibility of the State” is now being used as a recurring weapon against media professionals and critical voices. This charge, which is being used with increasing frequency in legal proceedings, raises concerns about freedom of expression and the right to information. The West African Network of Human Rights Defenders (ROADDH) is closely monitoring this development and warns of its implications for democracy and the protection of human rights defenders.
