Mali’s former Prime Minister Choguel Maïga has been detained in a corruption probe, signaling deeper political repression under the military junta. Once a key transitional leader, his arrest marks a growing pattern of silencing dissent as Mali drifts further from democracy.
Choguel Kokalla Maïga, Mali’s former Prime Minister, was detained on August 12, 2025, by the country’s financial crimes unit as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption. Maïga, once a key ally of the ruling military junta, now faces scrutiny for alleged misuse of public funds during his tenure as prime minister from June 2021 to November 2024.
His arrest comes several months after his dismissal, which followed public criticism of the junta’s refusal to hold democratic elections. Although no formal charges have been announced, Maïga’s legal team asserts that his detention is politically motivated and intended to silence dissent.
This incident follows the recent arrest of another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was detained for expressing support for government critics already in jail. These actions illustrate a broader crackdown by Mali’s military regime, which has dissolved political parties, indefinitely postponed elections, and withdrawn from ECOWAS.
Observers warn that Mali is sliding deeper into authoritarianism, with the junta using corruption investigations to exert political control. Maïga’s detention intensifies concerns about eroding civil liberties and the diminishing space for democratic dialogue. The situation highlights growing instability in Mali as the military authorities consolidate power, casting uncertainty over the nation’s political future.
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