Latest news with #ChoguelKokallaMaiga
France 24
13 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Ex-Mali PM Choguel Kokalla Maiga jailed on public funds embezzlement charges
Mali 's civilian ex-prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, dismissed in November after he criticised the junta, was charged Tuesday with embezzlement of public funds and remanded in custody following a hearing before the country's Supreme Court. Plagued by jihadist and separatist violence, Mali has been led by the military since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Maiga is accused of "embezzlement of public funds" his lawyer Cheick Oumar Konare told AFP, adding that no date has yet been set for his trial. "We believe in justice, we are calm while awaiting the trial," Konare said, explaining that Maiga would remain in prison. Eight of his former colleagues from his time as prime minister had also been placed in custody, although his former chief of staff has been released while awaiting trial. Confirming the charge of embezzlement, another judicial source told AFP that Maiga was specifically accused of "damage to public property, forgery, use of false documents". Maiga was arrested one week ago, days after the junta carried out dozens of arrests to quash an alleged plot within the army's ranks to topple the government in turn. "Choguel Maiga says he is calm and believes that a politician should expect anything, including prison and death," his lawyer Konare said in a statement. Ramped up repression His sacking in November 2024 appeared at the time to confirm that the army, which went back on a pledge to hand the reins back to civilians by the end of March 2024, had tightened its grip on power. Having been named to the post following the second coup in 2021, Maiga was fired after he publicly condemned the lack of clarity over when the military would give up power in the West African country. Mali's junta replaced the civilian prime minister with General Abdoulaye Maiga, who had previously served as government spokesman in the West African country. Impoverished Mali has been gripped by a security crisis since 2012, fuelled notably by violence from groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State jihadist group, as well as local criminal gangs. The junta, led by President Assimi Goita, has turned away from Western partners, notably former colonial power France, to align itself politically and militarily with Russia. The regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians, with the junta ramping up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest. In July, a bill passed by the military-appointed legislative body granted Goita a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without elections.
Arab Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Mali's former prime minister Maiga taken into custody amid corruption probe
BAMAKO, Mali, Aug 13, (AP): Former Malian prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was taken into custody on Tuesday on accusations of corruption, his lawyer said, as the West African country 's military junta has ramped up arrests of top politicians in recent weeks. Maiga's lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konaré, told The Associated Press the former prime minister was taken in for questioning earlier this month by the National Economic and Financial Unit, which is responsible for fighting corruption, as part of an investigation into allegations of misuse of public property. "Former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga has been taken into custody by officers from the brigade of the National Economic and Financial Unit,' Konaré said. "We are contesting his detention because the former prime minister has no intention of fleeing the country or destroying evidence,' he added. In November 2024, Maïga was dismissed from his role as prime minister, days after he criticized the military regime for postponing elections. Following his dismissal, Maiga continued to criticize the military regime in the media. Earlier this month, another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, was imprisoned after tweeting his support for jailed critics of the ruling military junta. Mali has been ruled by military leaders since a junta seized power in 2020 and staged another coup the following year. In June, the country's leader, Gen Assimi Goita, was granted an additional five years in power, despite the junta's earlier promises of a return to civilian rule by March 2024. The move followed the military regime's dissolution of political parties in May.
The Hindu
12-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mali junta arrests former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga
Mali's former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was arrested Tuesday, according to his entourage and a judicial source, several months after he was dismissed for criticising the country's ruling junta. Plagued by jihadist and separatist violence, Mali has been led by the military since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. Maiga's detention comes days after the junta carried out dozens of arrests to quash an alleged plot within the army's ranks to topple the government in turn. His sacking in November 2024 appeared at the time to confirm that the army, which went back on a pledge to hand the reins back to civilians by the end of March 2024, had tightened its grip on power. Maiga was arrested in relation to an investigation into allegations of "misappropriation of public funds" made in a report by Mali's auditor general, his lawyer Cheick Oumar Konare said in a statement sent to AFP. "Several of his former allies" were also in custody, Konare added. Having been named to the post following the second coup in 2021, Maiga was fired after he publicly condemned the lack of clarity over when the military would give up power in the West African country. He was widely seen as isolated and without room for manoeuvre. His moves to distance himself from the junta sparked months of speculation that he would be sacked, and he was soon replaced by a namesake officer, General Abdoulaye Maiga. Before the coup, Maiga was a key figure in the Movement of June 5/Rally of Patriotic Forces (M5/RFP) opposed to former civilian leader Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was toppled by the army in August 2020. At the end of February he insisted that the "breakup is complete" between his movement and the junta, led by General Assimi Goita. Besides his sidelining by the military, Maiga also complained of "arrests and extrajudicial detentions" of members of his M5/RFP.
Toronto Star
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Mali's former prime minister Maiga taken into custody amid corruption probe
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Former Malian prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was taken into custody on Tuesday on accusations of corruption, his lawyer said, as the West African country 's military junta has ramped up arrests of top politicians in recent weeks. Maiga's lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konaré, told The Associated Press the former prime minister was taken in for questioning earlier this month by the National Economic and Financial Unit, which is responsible for fighting corruption, as part of an investigation into allegations of misuse of public property.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mali's former prime minister Maiga taken into custody amid corruption probe
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Former Malian prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was taken into custody on Tuesday on accusations of corruption, his lawyer said, as the West African country 's military junta has ramped up arrests of top politicians in recent weeks. Maiga's lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konaré, told The Associated Press the former prime minister was taken in for questioning earlier this month by the National Economic and Financial Unit, which is responsible for fighting corruption, as part of an investigation into allegations of misuse of public property. 'Former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga has been taken into custody by officers from the brigade of the National Economic and Financial Unit,' Konaré said. 'We are contesting his detention because the former prime minister has no intention of fleeing the country or destroying evidence,' he added. In November 2024, Maïga was dismissed from his role as prime minister, days after he criticized the military regime for postponing elections. Following his dismissal, Maiga continued to criticize the military regime in the media. Earlier this month, another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, was imprisoned after tweeting his support for jailed critics of the ruling military junta. Mali has been ruled by military leaders since a junta seized power in 2020 and staged another coup the following year. In June, the country's leader, Gen. Assimi Goita, was granted an additional five years in power, despite the junta's earlier promises of a return to civilian rule by March 2024. The move followed the military regime's dissolution of political parties in May.
