Mali Junta Arrests Former Prime Ministers Amid Crackdown

In a deepening crackdown on dissent, Mali’s military-led government has arrested former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, marking the latest high-profile detention of a political figure under the junta. Maiga, who served as premier from 2021 until his dismissal in November 2024, was charged with corruption on Tuesday, following an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of public funds. His arrest comes months after he publicly criticized the regime for postponing elections, a stance that likely triggered his fall from grace.

Earlier this month, Maiga was summoned for questioning over alleged abuse of state resources. His detention follows that of another former prime minister, Moussa Mara, who was arrested on August 1 for allegedly “damaging the credibility of the state” after tweeting in support of jailed regime critics. These arrests have sparked fresh concerns over the junta’s aggressive suppression of opposition voices and its growing authoritarian leanings.

Mali has been under military rule since 2020, following a coup that ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. A second coup in 2021 further empowered Colonel Assimi Goïta, who now serves as transitional president. While the junta initially pledged to restore democratic governance by March 2024, it has since dissolved political parties and extended Goïta’s rule by five more years. Civil society groups and international observers warn that Mali’s slide into authoritarianism threatens to undermine long-term stability in the Sahel.

The arrests of Maiga and Mara mark a dangerous precedent for political expression in Mali, where the line between legal accountability and political persecution is increasingly blurred. With no clear roadmap back to civilian governance and worsening relations with international allies, the country’s democratic future remains uncertain. Civil society groups warn that the ongoing repression could spark further unrest in a nation already battling insurgency, economic hardship, and institutional collapse.