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Authorities in Mali have detained a newspaper executive, Youssouf Sissoko, after his publication ran a strongly worded commentary targeting Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, over a recent attack in Niamey.
Sissoko, who manages the privately owned newspaper L’Alternance, was taken into custody on Thursday, after appearing before prosecutors at the National Cybercrime Unit.
Last week’s assault on Niger’s main airport was later claimed by the Islamic State group.
However, Tiani publicly accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of backing the attackers, an allegation that has further strained Niger’s already tense relations with those countries. The article also criticised the junta’s leadership, suggesting Niger was being subjected to what it described as a dangerous political experiment.
The Association of Private Press Publishers in Mali said Sissoko faces charges including spreading false information, harming the state’s reputation, and insulting a foreign head of state.
Sissoko’s trial is scheduled for March 9, 2026, it added.
Another industry body, the Malian Association of Print Media Publishers, voiced concern over the development and called for his temporary release while awaiting trial.
An opposition coalition, the Coalition of Forces for the Republic, also condemned the detention, arguing that the journalist was being punished for exercising his professional duty to analyse and critique public affairs.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are currently governed by military juntas and have formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a bloc that has distanced itself from Western allies and strengthened ties with Russia.
The three countries recently announced plans to establish a 5,000-member joint force to tackle insurgent threats across the region.
Niger has spent years battling insurgent groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State, particularly in border areas.
