The Assize Court in Bamako opened a session for trying many important cases of alleged economic and financial offenses. On the bench at this two-month session will be 181 accused persons answering charges, including former ministers.
The focus of this special session is, therefore, on offenses relating to misappropriation of public property, money laundering, and forgery. With about fifty cases on the docket, proceedings are sure to be full-scale and effective.
On the list of long-waited persons to be held accountable is Bouaré Fily Sissoko, Mali’s former Minister of Finances and Economy. Sissoko is alleged in a case related to the act of procurement of military materiel, an accusation she had always denied. Late in 2019, former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga had also been implicated in the case, which at the time had already resulted in his death in prison in March 2022.
Another highly visible case involves the Malian energy company EDM. Former ministers and senior officials of the company are due to be questioned over allegations of misappropriation of public property and forgery.
In addition, the rebate case of the cotton producers is going to be heard, with a former industry leader and his dozen co-accused. A hugely contentious earlier judgment in November 2021 had found the principal accused not guilty. The subsequent appeal did lead to an Assize Court retrial order.
As the Extraordinary Session progresses, these proceedings are expected to shed light on significant allegations of corruption and financial misconduct that shall reshape accountability in Mali.