The court overseeing the so-called “Presidential Boeing and military equipment” case in Mali has announced a new postponement of the trial, pushing the hearings back to 2 June 2025.
The delay follows a request from the defense, citing the health condition of former Finance Minister Bouaré Fily Sissoko, who was declared temporarily unfit to appear in court, according to a medical certificate submitted to the file.
The court stated it would either ensure her presence at the next session or require a new certificate confirming her continued incapacity.
Requests for provisional release submitted by Ms. Sissoko and Colonel-Major Nouhoum Dabitao were rejected, and both defendants remain in custody. Additionally, the panel of judges has undergone a partial reorganisation, which the court said would not affect the continuity or fairness of the proceedings.
During Thursday’s session, the public prosecutor reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to a transparent process, rejecting any claims of persecution. Meanwhile, the State Litigation Office reiterated its stance against mismanagement in public administration.
The case is being tried by a special court tasked with investigating questionable public procurement contracts. It involves over 88 billion CFA francs in allegedly mismanaged state funds—around 28.5 billion for the purchase of a presidential jet and 69 billion for military equipment acquisitions made without public tenders.
Several former senior officials are implicated, including Ms. Sissoko and former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, who died in detention in March 2022. Some co-defendants are currently abroad and under international arrest warrants. The trial, which opened in November 2023, has faced multiple delays, mostly related to procedural and investigative issues. This latest postponement is the result of medical concerns.
The hearing set for 2 June 2025 is expected to mark a turning point in the case, with the final witness testimonies, defense arguments, prosecution’s closing statements, and the court’s deliberation all scheduled for that day.
MD/te/lb/as/APA