Former Prime Minister of Mali Boubou Cisse
News Time
Mali’s state prosecutor’s office said Thursday that six people were being investigated on charges of plotting against the government, criminal conspiracy, insulting the head of state and aiding and abetting crime. A group defending the six said they included former Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, who has been charged with attempted coup. According to the AFP news agency, except for Boubou Cisse, the other five accused are in the custody of the police, but it is not known where they are kept. After weeks of anti-government protests, young army officers ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18. In the face of the threat of international sanctions, the military handed over power to a watchdog that is expected to run for office for the next 18 months until the next election. There is public frustration with the pace of reforms in the country, and allegations of military dominance in the interim government are being made.
The alleged coup came after a series of arrests by Mali’s intelligence service, the General Directorate of State Services, in December, but the whole affair remains shrouded in mystery. Observers have expressed surprise at the key figures arrested. Authorities have arrested former Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and Mohamed Youssouf Bathily. He is known as Ras Bath and has been a controversial radio host and has a large following. Others charged include Vital Robert Diop. He is also the director general of a group that runs Diop’s business. Two senior finance ministry officials and a deputy director of a government finance agency have also been arrested, French state radio RFI reported. The prosecution has accused him of attacking the country’s internal security, collaborating with a criminal group and sabotaging the caretaker administration.
