Malian Court Jails Former Minister Cissoko Over Presidential Jet Scandal; Others Sentenced in Absentia

The Special Assize Court in Bamako has delivered its long-awaited verdict on Tuesday in the high-profile case surrounding the controversial acquisition of a presidential aircraft and military equipment.

After eight weeks of intense hearings, the court found former Minister of Economy and Finance Fily Cissoko guilty of forgery and misappropriation of public property, sentencing her to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 FCFA. Co-accused Nouhoum Dabitao received a 7-year prison term and a 300,000 FCFA fine on similar charges.

However, not all faced conviction. Mahamadou Camara, a former Minister of Communication, and Moustapha Drabo, a former technical adviser, were both acquitted and immediately released, with the court citing insufficient evidence to support a conviction.

Also, life sentences in absentia were handed down to Sidi Mohamed Kagnassy, Nouhoum Kouma, Amadou Kouma, Soumaila Diaby, and Moustaph Ben Barka. The group was convicted of corruption, favouritism, and large-scale financial malpractice. All five remain fugitives.

The prosecution had initially sought stiffer penalties and restitution of over 50 billion FCFA (approximately USD 82 million) to the Malian State. While the court rejected several civil claims, it emphasised the strength of the evidence in delivering its verdicts.

The case, which has captivated the Malian public since it emerged in the early 2010s, centred on allegations of inflated contracts and irregular procurement procedures linked to the purchase of a presidential jet and military supplies.

It became a symbol of the misuse of public funds during a critical period of national security and political instability.

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