SEVERAL former Malian ministers and high-ranking military officials went on trial on Tuesday, accused of embezzling millions of dollars during the controversial purchase of a presidential jet and military equipment in 2014. This high-profile case has become emblematic of corruption in Mali, particularly under the regime of ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, whom the current military government overthrew in a 2020 coup.
At the heart of the scandal is the purchase of a presidential jet for $40 million, alongside a large arms deal that was executed without any competitive tenders. The allegations of fraud and mismanagement led to widespread criticism of Keita’s administration and prompted the IMF to suspend financial assistance to Mali for six months.
Former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, who was the defence minister at the time of the purchases, and former finance minister Bouare Fily Sissoko, were among those charged in connection with the affair. Both were arrested in 2021 and accused of fraud, corruption, and nepotism.
Maiga, who denied all allegations against him, tragically died in custody in March last year. His supporters have accused the current junta of neglecting his health, leading to his death while in prison. Other key figures in the trial include Mahamadou Camara, the former chief of staff to the ousted president.
The trial marks a significant moment in Mali’s efforts to confront past corruption. The current military leadership, which seized power in 2020, cited rampant corruption and the government’s failure to combat insurgencies as primary reasons for overthrowing Keita. The proceedings are seen as a test of the junta’s commitment to addressing the issues of governance and financial mismanagement that have plagued the country.
