Mali’s former prime minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga has been taken into custody on corruption charges.
His lawyer confirmed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, marking the latest crackdown by the country’s ruling junta against dissenting voices.
Maiga, 67, previously headed the civilian arm of the transitional government until November 2024, when he was abruptly removed just days after criticizing the junta for delaying elections. Despite his ouster, he has remained one of its most outspoken critics.
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READ ALSO: Former Malian prime minister Maiga arrested on corruption charges
According to attorney Cheick Oumar Konaré, the Supreme Court informed Maiga of the charges brought by Mali’s prosecutor general and ordered his detention. The accusations stem from a report issued by the auditor general concerning the management of public funds during Maiga’s premiership. A trial date has not yet been announced.
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His arrest comes on the heels of another high-profile detention. Earlier this month, former prime minister Moussa Mara was jailed after posting a message on X expressing support for imprisoned critics of the regime.
The detentions highlight the junta’s tightening grip on power. Since seizing control in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the military rulers have dissolved political parties, disregarded earlier pledges to restore civilian rule by March 2024, and in June extended Gen. Assimi Goita’s mandate by an additional five years.
READ ALSO: Mali junta arrests 2 generals, alleged French spy in foiled coup plot
