Mali’s Former Prime Minister Choguel Maiga Accused of Embezzlement Amid Public Spending Scandal

Mali’s Former Prime Minister Choguel Maiga Accused of Embezzlement Amid Public Spending Scandal

Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maiga is facing serious allegations of embezzlement following a damning report by the body responsible for overseeing public spending in the country. The report accuses Maiga of being involved in multiple instances of misappropriating significant sums of public money during his time in office.

The audit highlights several troubling cases of financial misconduct, particularly an “undue expenditure on staff” over the course of the 2020-2023 period. Notably, the report cites phone subscriptions amounting to nearly €20,000, as well as expenditures on equipment meant for educational institutions, such as WiFi services and computers. These resources, which were meant to support the country’s schools, were instead allegedly misdirected under Maiga’s leadership.

Maiga, who served as Prime Minister from June 2021 until his dismissal in November 2024 by junta leader Colonel Assimi Goïta, is said to have either concealed some of the misappropriations or directly benefited from them. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by tensions with the ruling military junta, particularly over their failure to follow through on promises regarding a return to democratic governance.

Despite the serious accusations, Maiga has not yet publicly addressed the specifics of the embezzlement claims. When the audit first began, he maintained his innocence, insisting that he had a “clear conscience.”

Maiga’s tenure ended abruptly when he was dismissed by Goïta after openly criticizing the junta’s failure to outline a clear transition plan back to civilian rule, deepening the political rift between the Prime Minister and the military leadership.

The allegations against Maiga come at a time of heightened scrutiny of government officials in Mali, as the country continues to grapple with political instability and mounting economic challenges. As the investigation into the alleged embezzlement continues, the former Prime Minister’s future remains uncertain.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *