An Abidjan court has sentenced Malian lawmaker Mahamadou Gassama to three years in prison for insulting Côte d’Ivoire’s head of state. The verdict, delivered January 30, 2026, by the Abidjan-Plateau Court of First Instance, concludes a case that captivated public attention for months.
The prosecution centered on remarks deemed offensive to the Ivorian presidency, triggering legal proceedings under the country’s laws protecting state dignity. Gassama’s conviction underscores Côte d’Ivoire’s strict enforcement of statutes governing speech directed at national leadership.
The high-profile trial drew scrutiny across West Africa, highlighting tensions between diplomatic immunity, freedom of expression, and national sovereignty. As a sitting parliamentarian from Mali, Gassama’s prosecution raised questions about jurisdictional boundaries in regional political discourse.
The three-year sentence sends a firm message about Côte d’Ivoire’s stance on perceived attacks against its institutions. The ruling closes a contentious chapter while reinforcing the judiciary’s role in upholding laws safeguarding the presidency’s standing.
