Fear and uncertainty grip Bamako as masked men abduct a prominent government critic — raising fresh alarms over security and political repression in Mali.

CBI News reports that a prominent Malian lawyer and politician, Mohamed Aly Bathily Tall (commonly referred to as Tall), has been abducted by masked men in the capital, Bamako, according to family members.

The incident reportedly occurred overnight when two armed men wearing balaclavas stormed his residence and forcefully took him away. Witnesses say his wife was assaulted while attempting to document the abduction, and her phone was seized.

Tall is known for his criticism of Mali’s ruling military junta and his role in defending detained military officers accused of attempting to destabilise the state. He has also challenged the junta’s controversial decision to dissolve political parties.

His abduction comes at a time of heightened instability in Mali, following coordinated attacks by Tuareg separatists and jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda. The recent violence targeted key military positions in Bamako and Kati, leaving at least 23 people dead, including civilians and children, according to UNICEF.

The crisis has deepened further with allegations from prosecutors claiming “solid evidence” of complicity by some military personnel in planning and executing the attacks. Exiled opposition figure Oumar Mariko has also been implicated.

Tall was previously part of the M5-RFP Movement, a key force behind the protests that led to the ousting of former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in 2020. Though initially aligned with the military leadership, he later became a vocal critic of the regime.

His disappearance adds to growing concerns about political repression, insecurity, and human rights in Mali as tensions continue to rise.

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