Mali’s former Prime Minister, Choguel Kokalla Maiga, has been charged with embezzlement and remanded in custody, as the country’s military rulers intensify a crackdown on political dissent.
Maiga, who was removed from office in November 2024 after criticizing the junta for delaying a return to civilian rule, appeared before the Supreme Court on August 19, 2025. He now faces charges of embezzling public funds and money laundering worth billions of CFA francs, equivalent to several million US dollars.
According to his lawyer, Cheick Oumar Konare, no trial date has been set. “We believe in justice, and we are calm while awaiting the trial,” Konare told AFP.
Maiga’s arrest comes a week after security forces detained dozens of people, including soldiers, accused of plotting a coup against the military-led government. Nine of Maiga’s former colleagues also appeared in court; two were charged, others were acquitted, and some are still awaiting hearings.
Maiga first became prime minister in 2021 after Mali’s second coup, led by Colonel Assimi Goita. He had been a key figure in protests that toppled the civilian government in 2020 and initially supported the military, hoping they would protect democracy. But relations soured when he accused the junta of clinging to power.
Since taking control, Mali’s military rulers have dissolved political parties, jailed opponents, and passed a law in July granting Goita a five-year renewable mandate without elections. Earlier this month, another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, was jailed after criticizing the government online.
Experts say Maiga’s arrest signals growing insecurity within the junta. “If the most prominent opposition leaders are arrested, including Choguel, who once gave the junta credibility, then its legitimacy is greatly weakened,” said Alioune Tine, former UN envoy to Mali.
Mali remains in crisis, with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL controlling vast areas outside the capital. Violence since 2012 has killed thousands and displaced over 350,000 people. Despite promises, the junta has delayed democratic elections and instead strengthened ties with Burkina Faso and Niger.
The three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and deployed a joint 5,000-strong force to fight armed groups after withdrawing from the West African bloc ECOWAS.
Analysts warn that Mali’s crackdown could deepen political instability and isolate the country further. “The only way forward is for President Goita to change course: free political prisoners, release activists and journalists, and start a real national dialogue,” Tine said.
This version fills the gaps (who Maiga is, why he was arrested, wider political context, security issues, and regional implications), uses simple and clear English, and gives the story a strong headline that reflects the drama and significance.
