Mali: public freedoms restricted by state of emergency
The capital of Mali, Bamako (illustrative image).
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Text by: David Baché
3 min
To deal with the health crisis, major measures have been taken in Mali.
But that's not all.
At the same time, the authorities invoke "the country's security situation" and "the persistence of terrorist actions" to implement a whole series of measures of another kind.
Without any link with Covid-19, they mark a serious turn of the screw security.
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Mali has been in a state of emergency since Saturday, December 19.
A decision taken by the transitional authorities which entails
a series of measures
to cope with the acceleration of
the spread of the coronavirus
: no more schools until January 4, no more public hearings until the 16th, but especially the closure of shopping streets, bars, restaurants and nightclubs until further notice.
The markets remain open, but they will be sprayed, disinfected, from 6 p.m.
But in parallel with the measures to fight against the epidemic, the transitional authorities have also put in place measures which will "
significantly modify the exercise of public and individual freedoms
", in the words of the Minister of Territorial Administration.
These measures mark a security turnaround by the executive.
In a letter addressed to all governors, prefects and sub-prefects of Mali, Lieutenant-Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga tells them that they can henceforth "
order searches in all places, day and night
".
The Minister also reminds them that they are empowered to "
ensure control of the press
", "
social networks
", "
radio or television broadcasts
", as well as cinemas and theaters.
The representatives of the State, throughout the territory, can also "
take any provision relating to the control of postal, telegraph, electronic or telephone correspondence
".
In other words, wiretapping cell phones and reading private email exchanges.
With the state of emergency, governors and prefects can also "
regulate or prohibit the movement of people and vehicles in certain places and at certain times
", or even prohibit "
any person seeking to hinder the action of public authorities
" to travel to certain constituencies.
Gatherings and demonstrations may be prohibited, and curfews introduced.
Finally, the administrative authorities will be able, without a court decision, to house arrest or even imprison "
any person whose activity is dangerous
", "
or who seeks to hinder the action of the public authorities
".
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