Mali: Former Detainee Reveals Atrocities in State Security Prisons
El Bachir Thiam breaks silence on systematic abuse and deaths in Malian detention centers.
1Systematic Extrajudicial Detention
El Bachir Thiam, a member of the now-dissolved Yelema party, was abducted on May 8, 2025, in Kati. He spent nearly five months in the custody of Mali’s State Security services without any legal procedure. His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on pro-democracy activists during a period of rising political contestation.
2Conditions of Confinement
Thiam endured horrific detention conditions across five different cells. In one instance, he was held in a room with 18 other people, lacking space to lie flat. The cells were filthy, plagued by mosquitoes, and contained overflowing buckets used as toilets, creating an unbearable environment for all those held captive inside.
3Daily Mortality Rates
The death toll among detainees was so high that Thiam eventually stopped counting the bodies. Guards explicitly instructed prisoners not to report illnesses, stating they should only call when a prisoner died so the body could be removed. A pickup truck regularly arrived to collect the deceased, whose final destinations remain unknown.
4Targeting Ethnic Minorities
The majority of detainees identified by Thiam were ethnic Peuls and Tuaregs. Many were arrested arbitrarily based solely on their appearance or clothing style following attacks in major cities. These individuals often languish in detention for months or years without ever facing a formal investigation or knowing the reason for their imprisonment.
5Use of Torture
Thiam witnessed severe physical abuse, including the use of tasers on a 17-year-old boy. The victim suffered internal injuries, evidenced by blood in his urine after the interrogation. Guards frequently beat detainees, and the lack of medical care for those falling ill served as a deliberate mechanism to ensure high mortality.
6Interrogation and Accusations
Thiam underwent only one formal interrogation on September 25, the day of his release. Agents accused him of receiving funding from France to combat his own country. He was forced to listen to defamatory statements while hooded, with guards refusing to allow him to respond or defend himself against these baseless allegations.
7Release and Threats
On September 25, Thiam was released alongside three other individuals near the Kwame Nkrumah monument in Bamako. Before his release, agents threatened him with death, warning that his experience was a state secret. Despite these threats, he chose to speak out to expose the crimes occurring within the State Security facilities.
8Concerns for High-Profile Detainees
Thiam expressed deep concern for lawyer and former minister Mountaga Tall and his son, who have been detained for over six months. Their prolonged disappearance without news remains a critical issue. Thiam emphasizes that the longer detainees stay in these facilities, the lower their chances of surviving or avoiding permanent physical trauma.
9Weaponization of Justice
Beyond the State Security services, Thiam highlights that the Malian judicial system is being used as an instrument of repression. It targets those who attempt to denounce the poor management of the country. This systemic use of law and detention serves to silence opposition and instill fear throughout the Malian population.
10Call for International Awareness
Thiam believes it is essential for both Malians and the international community to recognize these acts, which he classifies as crimes against humanity. By testifying, he fulfills a promise made to his fellow detainees who did not survive. He urges immediate action to address the plight of those still held captive.
11Legacy of Trauma
Even after his release, Thiam continues to suffer from muscle pain and frequent nightmares related to his detention. His testimony serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the current political climate in Mali. The ongoing silence from authorities regarding these disappearances remains a major point of contention for observers.
Original article: RFI – Afrique — Mali: Former Detainee Reveals Atrocities in State Security Prisons