Were 11 Malian Ministers Jailed Over Corruption Charges In May 2025?
On May 9, 2025, a Facebook user, Lawrence Nyando claimed that Mali’s junta leader, General Assimi Goïta, had put 11 corrupt ministers behind bars, after a secret investigation exposed them of being corrupt. It was alleged that they stole 80 billion CFA of public funds over four years of their service. The post, which has the image of Goïta, has the write-up, “MALI PRESIDENT Mali’s Military President Sends 11 Ministers to Jail Over 80 Billion CFA Corruption Scandal.”
This post’s caption read:
“ #BREAKING: Mali’s President General Assimi Goita has put 11 corrupt ministers behind bars after a secret investigation which exposed their dirty deeds. They stole 80 billion CFA of public funds over four years of their service, money meant for the people of Mali! General Goita has vowed to make these thieves repay every single dime. This is the kind of bold, no-nonsense leadership Africa needs someone who fights for justice and holds the powerful accountable! Join the movement and spread the word about this revolutionary change! Share this post to inspire others and let’s amplify the voices fighting for a better future together! Lawrence Nyando #MaliRising #JusticeForThePeople #AfricanExcellence #AfricaRising”
The same claim was found here and here.
VERIFICATION
General Assimi Goïta leads a military regime in Mali, having taken power in a coup in 2020, and is currently the head of the transitional government.
NV-A reviewed news stories related to corruption cases being handled by the Junta and found no reports of arrests made in May 2025. In August 2021, late ex-prime minister, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga was arrested as part of a corruption investigation; then in July 2024, the Malian Malian Supreme Court announced an international arrest warrant for 3 former ministers in connection with “the crime of forgery, use of forgeries and damage to public property.”
Asides these, NV-A could not find reports of any other arrest until August 2025 when a former Prime Minister under the transitional government, Choguel Kokalla Maïga, was charged with embezzlement / misuse of public funds. Channels TV reports that 8 other people were arrested and are being held in custody but the former chief of staff, Prof. Issiaka Ahmadou Singaré, has been released while awaiting trial. According to Radio France Internationale, the case involves money laundering equal to “many billions” or “several million euros”.
CONCLUSION
The claim that Mali’s military leader, General Assimi Goïta sent 11 ministers to jail for stealing 80 billion CFA of public funds over four years in May 2025 is FALSE. Although there have been arrests of former public office holders, these arrests happened before or after May 2025. Additionally, the details of these cases are different from the specifics mentioned in the claim.
