Mali’s former Minister of Economy and Finance, Bouaré Fily Sissoko, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined 500,000 CFA francs, while Colonel-Major Nouhoum Dabitao received a 7-year sentence and a 300,000 CFA franc fine, for their roles in the embezzlement case involving the purchase of a presidential plane and military equipment.
eneral Moustapha Drabo and former Minister of Communications Mamadou Camara were acquitted, while five other defendants, still abroad, were tried in absentia.
The July 8 verdict closes a high-profile corruption case that has gripped the nation since November 2023, involving opaque contracts worth over 88 billion CFA francs.
The proceedings were marked by delays, including a postponement for health-related reasons involving Ms. Sissoko, and the death in custody of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, who was also implicated.
Authorities described the case as symbolically important for Mali’s justice system and public accountability, with the General State Litigation Service underscoring its relevance to transparency in public procurement.
Arrest warrants remain active for several defendants still at large.
