Mali’s Supreme Court has summoned former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Oumar Tatam Ly to appear today as part of an ongoing investigation into the controversial 2014 purchase of a presidential jet. The case, which has raised concerns about the management of public funds, also involves former Minister Delegate for the Budget, Madani Touré, whose testimony is deemed crucial.
Several high-ranking officials have already been implicated. Former Defense Minister and Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga was detained in 2021 and later died in custody in March 2022. Former Economy and Finance Minister Bouaré Fily Sissoko, also accused in the case, was arrested in 2021 on charges of fraud, forgery, and favoritism. Additionally, Colonel Nouhoum Dabitao, former Chief of General Staff and National Transitional Council member, has been in detention since August 2021.
The controversy stems from the Malian government’s 2014 acquisition of a Boeing 737-700 BBJ for 20 billion CFA francs, bypassing standard procurement procedures. International financial institutions, including the IMF and World Bank, criticized the deal for its lack of transparency and possible overbilling. Simultaneously, military equipment contracts worth 69 billion CFA francs also came under scrutiny for irregularities.
The trial began in September 2024 before the Special Assize Court for Economic and Financial Crimes but was referred back for further investigation on October 9, 2024, after the prosecution requested additional testimonies to address unresolved questions in the case.
Source: WAVN