Former National Gendarmerie Colonel Alpha Yaya Sangare was Thursday sentenced to 20 years in prison for endangering the external security of the state, in a case related to the publication of his book on the fight against terrorism.
The Criminal Chamber of the National Cybercrime Unit rejected the charge of treason brought by the prosecution and reclassified the charges as endangering the external security of the state.
The court also awarded a symbolic one CFA franc in damages to the Malian state, which had joined the case as a civil party, and ordered the confiscation of the copies of the book seized during the
proceedings.
During the hearing on August 27, the prosecution had sought the death penalty for the former officer, citing provisions of the former Penal Code relating to treason.
Alpha Yaya Sangare contested the accusations, while his lawyers argued for the dismissal of the case and the acquittal of their client.
The case had been adjourned until September 3rd. The verdict comes approximately two and a half years after the former colonel’s arrest in Bamako.
A book at the heart of the case
The case originated with the publication, in December 2023, of the book “Mali: The Challenge of Terrorism in Africa,” presented to the public on February 24, 2024, at the Alioune Blondin Beye Peacekeeping School in Bamako.
In the book, which focuses on the fight against terrorism and institutional responses to the security crisis, the author reiterates accusations found in reports by human rights organisations alleging
abuses against civilians during military operations.
The Malian Ministry of Defence reacted on March 1, 2024, denouncing the “unfounded accusations” against the Malian Armed Forces, as well as certain passages fingering the military hierarchy.
The ministry then announced that the author would be subject to the applicable regulations.
Alpha Yaya Sangare was arrested the very next day at his home. His arrest was initially confirmed by his family, before being confirmed by the military authorities. Human Rights Watch described him as a whistle-blower and called for his release.
Dismissal from the Armed Forces
In parallel with the legal proceedings, administrative proceedings were initiated against the former officer.
Decree No. 2025-861/PT-RM, published on December 12, 2025, ordered his dismissal from the Armed and Security Forces “as a disciplinary measure,” following a Board of Inquiry held on December 1.
The text did not, however, specify the misconduct that led to this sanction.
With the judgment rendered on Thursday, the trial before the Criminal Chamber of the National Cybercrime Unit has come to an end. No information on a possible appeal by the defence was immediately available.
MD/te/fss/as/APA