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Justice - 23 May 2026

Mali Opens First Criminal Chamber Session in Bamako’s 4th District Court

By Amina Kabasele3 min readFrançais

Bamako, May 20, 2026 - As part of efforts to strengthen the rule of law, the first ordinary criminal session of the Criminal Chamber of the High Court of the 4th Administrative District of Bamako was officially opened on Tuesday at the court premises.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals, Mamoudou KASSOGUE, alongside the Secretary General and Chief of Staff of the Ministry, as well as several judicial actors.

A total of 12 cases have been placed on the docket for this session.

Beyond a procedural opening, the session reflects the authorities’ commitment to bringing justice closer to citizens, improving efficiency in case handling, and reducing delays in judicial proceedings.

It also forms part of broader efforts to decongest detention facilities while ensuring respect for legal procedures and the rights of accused persons.

In his remarks, the Public Prosecutor, Idrissa Hamidou Touré, drew particular attention to the social and humanitarian conditions of certain detainees, underscoring the importance of a balanced and humane approach to justice administration.

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