APA – Bamako (Mali) – Barely a month ago, a close advisor to the prime minister and web activist, Amara Bathily, suffered a similar fate.
The worrying disappearance of Yeri Bocoum, vice-president of the Association of Social Media Professionals and WebActors in Bamako, raises many questions.
He was last seen on Friday 7 June while covering a march organised by the Synergy of action for Mali collective, a platform of opponents protesting against the high cost of living and power cuts.
Although unauthorised, the demonstration did not attract large crowds, and the more daring participants were dispersed by an impressive security force.
Later, Yeri Bocoum was abducted outside his home by unknown assailants, according to his relatives.
The incident comes against the backdrop of increasing kidnappings in Bamako, where the safety of internet journalists and media workers is a real concern.
Barely a month ago, a close adviser to the prime minister, Amara Bathily, also a web activist, suffered a similar fate.
Although he was released, the reasons for his abduction and the identity of his captors remain unknown. Bathily, an ardent supporter of the prime minister on social media, was openly critical of his opponents.
The recurrence of kidnappings is beginning to raise serious concerns about freedom of expression in Mali.
Victims who have been released often choose to remain silent about their experiences, further fuelling the climate of fear and insecurity.
Political actors have called on the authorities to ‘take immediate steps to investigate these incidents and ensure that such violations do not recur’.
The web and social media community, like many citizens, is waiting for answers and concrete action to put an end to these worrying series of disappearances.
MD/ac/lb/as/APA