Two Arrested in Mali for Spreading Terrorist Propaganda Online

Malian authorities have arrested two individuals accused of disseminating terrorist propaganda and false information online, in what officials describe as part of a broader campaign to combat cybercrime and information warfare in the Sahel region.

Yeli Kanté, apprehended in the western city of Kayes, was presented before the country’s cybercrime division and placed under a formal detention order earlier this week.

According to sources, Kanté had been in contact with Bouba Fané, a controversial figure previously denounced by authorities for spreading extremist content and disinformation across social media platforms.

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In a related case, Moussa Sissoko, a schoolteacher based in Bamako, was also placed under a detention order on June 9. Authorities allege that Sissoko shared false narratives originally circulated by Bouba Fané, thereby contributing to the spread of content deemed to support terrorist agendas.

The arrests come amid rising tensions and ongoing military operations by the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS)—comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—against insurgent groups across the region.

Officials say the spread of disinformation and terrorist propaganda online poses a serious threat to national security, undermining military efforts and fueling fear among civilian populations.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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