Mali: Former PM Boubeye Maiga Arrested Over Corruption Claims
Lawyer for Boubeye Maiga says he was arrested for his role in purchase of presidential plane during rule of former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
Tish
Mali’s former prime minister, Boubeye Maiga, has been arrested for his role in in the purchase of a presidential plane during the rule of the deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, his lawyer has said. The exact reason for the arrest was not clear, but it was related to Mali’s purchase of a jet in 2014 for $40m, his lawyer, Kassoum
Tapo, told the media by phone on the Thursday, without giving further detail. We have not seen the case file and until then we cannot speak further, he said. The Justice Ministry too did not respond to a request for comment. Critics at the time claimed that the Keita administration overpaid and that the deal was corrupt. It also led to a
political scandal that hurt Keita’s presidency and also spooked lenders. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also froze financing to the West African country as a result and it was not clear what evidence prosecutors have against Maiga or why he was arrested now. He served as prime minister from 2017-2019 and
is seen as a possible candidate in the presidential vote that interim authorities also promise to hold next year following Keita’s removal as president last August. The transition is also being led by Assimi Goita, the Malian colonel who led the coup and is now interim president.
