• Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Maiga charged with embezzlement and remanded in custody.
• Charges follow a military crackdown on dissent amid political turmoil in Mali.
• Maiga was dismissed in November 2024 for criticizing the junta's handling of power transition.
• Eight of his former colleagues have also been placed in custody as tensions rise.
• The case highlights the junta's tightening grip on power and ongoing suppression of opposition.

Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga has been charged with embezzlement of public funds and was remanded in custody following a hearing before the country's Supreme Court on August 19, 2025. His lawyer noted that no trial date has been set, and the charges come amid increased repression by Mali's military leaders, who have ruled the country since coups in 2020 and 2021, according to Le Monde and Africanews.

Maiga, who served as prime minister from June 2021 until his dismissal in November 2024, was ousted following criticism of the junta regarding its plans for a return to civilian rule. He specifically condemned the junta for its ambiguity about timelines for relinquishing power. Following his public stance, the junta appointed General Abdoulaye Maiga as his successor, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

Maiga was apprehended about a week before the charges were announced, coinciding with a wave of arrests within military ranks aimed at thwarting an alleged coup plot against the junta. His charges include damage to public property and forgery, along with accusations of "money laundering" that reportedly amounts to billions of CFA francs, equating to millions in U.S. dollars. The political environment in Mali remains fraught, as the military continues to crack down on dissent, with multiple colleagues of Maiga also facing charges, as reported by Africanews and Al Jazeera.

Despite his current imprisonment, Maiga’s lawyer has stated that they remain calm and continue to believe in justice. This incident is part of a broader trend where the junta has intensified its grip on power, leading to the arrest of opposition figures and severe restrictions on political activity. Experts suggest that suppressing such prominent political voices may indicate fragility within the military government, raising critical concerns regarding Mali's future political landscape, according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.