A Malian lawmaker has been jailed for three years by a court in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, after being convicted of insulting Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

Mamadou Hawa Gassama, a member of Mali’s National Assembly, was handed the prison sentence following a trial that examined statements he allegedly made against the Ivorian leader.

The Abidjan court found Gassama guilty of the offense, though specific details about the nature of the insults or the context in which they were made have not been widely disclosed in available reports.

The case has drawn attention to the often delicate diplomatic relations between Mali and Ivory Coast, two neighboring West African nations that share historical, cultural, and economic ties but have experienced tensions in recent years.

Relations between the two countries have been strained, particularly following political changes in Mali, including military coups in 2020 and 2021 that brought a military junta to power. Regional disagreements over governance, security cooperation, and responses to extremist threats in the Sahel have also contributed to diplomatic friction.

It remains unclear whether Gassama was arrested while in Ivory Coast or if he was extradited to face trial. The circumstances surrounding his presence in Abidjan at the time of his arrest have not been fully explained.

The sentencing has raised questions about freedom of expression for public officials and the legal implications of cross-border political commentary in the region.

Neither the Malian government nor Gassama’s legal representatives have issued public statements regarding the conviction or whether an appeal will be pursued.

The case underscores ongoing sensitivities in West African inter-state relations, particularly regarding public criticism of leaders and the enforcement of laws protecting heads of state from defamation or insult.