The ruling junta in Mali announced on Wednesday the suspension for two months of a very popular open-mic radio program, according to a decision by the High Authority for Communication (HAC) read during the broadcast.

"Allô Klédu", broadcast daily on the private radio station Radio Klédu, was establishing itself as one of the few remaining spaces for freedom of expression in the country, which has been ruled by the military since a coup in 2020.

The program gives citizens a voice to speak on topics of their choice, and in recent months has become a receptacle for particularly sharp criticism of the management of public affairs.

"The HAC considers that we have given too much freedom to the listeners (...) and that (the latter) are venting on the government and on the institutions of the Republic without foundation and without verification," reported the presenter, reading the decision.

The facilitators are criticized for not "reining in" or "correcting" the participants.

"The decision has been officially notified and the obligation now falls on the station to stop broadcasting the program as of this Thursday," an official from the regulatory body told AFP.

This sanction comes amid increasing restrictions on media space in Mali, just days after the imprisonment of three Malian journalists, Chahana Takiou, Abdourhamane Keïta and Youssouf Sissoko, who were critical of the authorities.

Mali has been ruled by a junta since two coups d'état in 2020 and 2021. The military has taken repressive measures against the press and critical voices. They have also dissolved political parties and political organizations.

Since 2012, this Sahelian country has faced a profound security crisis fueled in particular by violence from groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS), as well as community-based criminal groups. This is compounded by a severe economic crisis.