Mali’s ruling military junta has escalated its clampdown on political figures, arresting former prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga on corruption allegations, his lawyer confirmed Tuesday. The move comes amid a wave of detentions targeting high-profile opponents in the West African nation.
Maiga’s attorney, Cheick Oumar Konaré, told The Associated Press that his client was summoned earlier this month by the National Economic and Financial Unit, Mali’s anti-corruption authority, over claims of misusing public resources.
“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.
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“We are contesting his detention because the former prime minister has no intention of fleeing the country or destroying evidence,” he added.
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Maiga, who was removed from office in November 2024 just days after openly criticizing the junta for delaying elections, has remained an outspoken critic of the military-led government.
His arrest follows that of another ex-prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was imprisoned earlier this month after posting on social media in support of political detainees.
Mali’s junta, in power since a 2020 coup and a subsequent takeover the following year, has steadily consolidated authority. In May, it dissolved all political parties, and in June, Gen. Assimi Goita extended his rule by five more years, breaking earlier pledges to restore civilian governance by March 2024.
READ ALSO: Goita signs decree disbanding political parties, forbids political meetings across Mali
