In Côte d’Ivoire, the public prosecutor has requested a five-year prison sentence for Mahamadou Hawa Gassama, a member of Mali’s National Transitional Council, over remarks deemed insulting to the Ivorian head of state.
Gassama is facing charges of insulting the president and disseminating offensive expressions online. He was arrested in July 2025 during a private visit to the country, following earlier comments in which he described the Ivorian president as an enemy of Mali.
During his court appearance, Gassama admitted to the remarks and apologized to President Alassane Ouattara and the people of Côte d’Ivoire.
The prosecutor rejected the apology as belated and unacceptable, requesting a five-year prison term and a fine of 500,000 CFA francs. The case has been adjourned to January 30, 2026, for deliberation.
