Mali’s former civilian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga has been charged with embezzlement of public funds and remanded in custody following a hearing at the Supreme Court.
Maiga, who was dismissed in November 2024 after criticizing the military junta, is accused of “damage to public property, forgery, and use of false documents”.
His lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konare, revealed that no trial date has been set, and Maiga will remain in prison until proceedings begin.
Eight of Maiga’s former colleagues have also been placed in custody, while his ex-chief of staff has been released pending trial.
Maiga’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown by the junta, which has tightened its grip on power since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.
The military government, led by President Assimi Goita, has distanced itself from Western partners and aligned with Russia, amid accusations of atrocities against civilians.
In July, a bill granted Goita a renewable five-year presidential mandate without elections, further solidifying the junta’s hold on power.
