In Côte d’Ivoire, Mamadou Hawa Gassama has been referred to the Abidjan Correctional Court. In September 2022, this member of Mali’s National Transitional Council (CNT), the country’s legislative body, made accusations against Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

During an interview with a Malian media outlet in September 2022, Gassama declared: “Alassane Ouattara is an enemy of Mali; I have proof.”

He was arrested in early July 2025 during a family visit in northern Côte d’Ivoire and charged with “offense against the head of state” and “dissemination of offensive expressions online.”

Gassama’s lawyer, Maître Ismaïla Konaté – a former Malian Minister of Justice – expressed surprise at his client being referred to the correctional court for this offense:

"We are a bit surprised that he is being sent to the correctional court for this specific offense. It concerns attacks on the integrity of the head of state. Even though these offenses are somewhat outdated today, Mamadou Hawa Gassama found himself in a political context where the main issue was not even the Ivorian head of state. Nevertheless, he made a very imprudent statement, which he immediately recognized and apologized for. He has expressed his apologies, and we will have the opportunity at the hearing for him to explain himself and reiterate those apologies. We will approach this hearing very humbly, exactly as my client, Mamadou Hawa Gassama, wishes it to happen.”

No date has yet been set for the start of the trial.

Under Ivorian law, offending the head of state carries a prison sentence of three months to two years, while insults via media or social networks are punishable by one to five years in prison.