Mali: civil society group hauls President Boubacar Keïta to court

Civil society organizations in Mali have filed a complaint in court against the President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta; who they accuse of corruption and bad governance.

The coalition under the banner of the Bloc of Popular and Peaceful Intervention for the Entire Reunification of Mali (BIPREM Fasoko) shared a number of grievances, amongst others the president’s refusal to declare his assets and misuse of public funds informed their move.

BIPREM announced through a press conference that they had filed the High Court complaint against President Keïta. They asserted that halfway through his term, it was wise to take stock of the management of the president.

Mali: “Une pleinte déposer au prêt de la cours de justice, aujourd'hui contre le président IBK.” Biprem Fasoko.

— Lin Moussa DIALLO (@lindiallo) March 1, 2016

‘‘A violation of the constitution by refusing to declare his assets publicly, misappropriation of more than $ 28 billion for the purchase of a presidential plane and as pointed out by the Office of the Auditor General, he squandered public money in buying adulterated fertilizer and tractors for farmers,’‘ BIPREM added.

The coalition intends to launch a citizen’s petition for Malians to support the initiative.

President Keita assumed office on September 4, 2013. He is a former Prime Minister of the West African country (1994 – 2000) and also served as president of the Malian National Assembly between 2002 and 2007.