Mali’s Former Prime Minister Maiga Arrested On Corruption Charges

Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga was arrested on Tuesday on charges of corruption, according to local media and official sources. His detention follows questioning earlier in August as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of public property. Maiga, who held office from 2021 until his ousting in November 2024, had been an outspoken critic of the military regime after it postponed elections and extended its hold on power. His arrest marks the latest in a series of detentions targeting political figures under Mali’s junta, which has ruled the country since seizing power in 2020 and staging a second coup in 2021.

Maiga’s dismissal last year came just days after he publicly condemned the regime’s decision to delay a promised return to civilian rule. His continued criticism appeared to put him at odds with the junta, which in June granted interim leader General Assimi Goïta an additional five years in power. The move followed the dissolution of all political parties in May, effectively removing organized opposition from Mali’s political landscape.

The arrest of Maiga comes shortly after the August 1 detention of another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was charged with “damaging the state’s credibility” after posting a message on social media supporting jailed critics of the junta. These developments have raised concerns about shrinking political freedoms in the country, already under strain from security crises and economic pressures.

Since taking power, Mali’s military leaders have faced widespread criticism for cracking down on dissent and delaying democratic transition. In recent weeks, the junta has also arrested senior military figures over alleged coup plots, signaling continued instability within its own ranks. With the political space increasingly restricted, analysts warn that the government’s focus on consolidating power risks deepening the country’s isolation from regional and international partners.