Choguel Kokalla Maiga, Mali’s former prime minister, has been arrested becoming the latest high profile political figure targeted by the country’s ruling military authorities.
Maiga was detained on Tuesday following an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds. Earlier this month, he had been questioned as part of the probe. Authorities have now formally charged him with corruption.
Maiga held office from 2021 until November 2024, when he was dismissed shortly after publicly criticizing the junta for delaying elections. His outspoken stance continued after his removal, making him a persistent critic of the regime.
His arrest follows that of another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was taken into custody on August 1. Mara faces charges of “damaging the state’s credibility” after expressing support on social media for imprisoned critics of the junta.
Mali has been under military control since a coup in 2020, followed by a second in 2021. Despite earlier promises to restore civilian governance by March 2024, the junta extended General Assimi Goita’s rule by five years in June. This came just weeks after the regime dissolved all political parties, further consolidating its power.
