Mali starts long-awaited trial of Top Former Officials Over Presidential Jet Purchase

Purchase of the presidential jet was made during the administration of former Malian president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita

A long-awaited trial involving several personalities of the former government of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, including the former Minister of Finance Bouaré Fily Sissoko, accused of embezzling public funds amounting to several tens of billions of FCFA meant the purchase of a presidential plane and military equipment in 2014, finally opens.

The highly anticipated trial finally began on Tuesday, September 24, in Bamako. The charges against the defendants include the use of forged documents, damage to public property, corruption, influence peddling and favouritism.

Also among the accused are a former minister, Mahamadou Camara, former secretary general of the presidency, Moustapha Ben Barka, and Colonel Nouhoum Dabitao. Only four of the accused were present at the first hearing, including former finance minister, Bouaré Fily Sissoko, who said she was “serene, confident and combative” as she left the courtroom.

The presidential jet was bought for $40 million at the time, and a huge quantity of arms were also bought without any tenders floated beforehand.

The case led the International Monetary Fund to freeze funds for Mali for six months.

Former prime minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, who was defence minister when the purchases were made, and Sissoko were detained in 2021 over the case.

Maiga, who maintained his innocence, died in prison in March last year, sparking accusations by his supporters that the junta let him die in prison.

This trial, which has attracted considerable interest in Mali, is expected to shed light on one of the biggest corruption cases in recent years.