Issaka Sidibé, ex-Speaker of the Malian Parliament and his Chief Financial Officer Mamoutou Touré who is the current chairman of the country’s football association (Femafoot) have been detained for funds embezzlement.
Sidibe, speaker of the Parliament from 2014 to 2020 under the regime of late President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (IBK) and Toure were taken to custody on Wednesday 09 August, after being indicted for crime against public goods.
Two former State figures reportedly embezzled 26 million euros including 10.6 million euros in form of irregular payments, per judicial sources.
Authorities have not provided any other details but the arrest of two former Parliament official is in line with the fight against corruption launched by the transitional President Colonel Assimi Goïta.
A junta deposed IBK in 2020 following months of demonstrations calling for an end to corruption. The rebels later dissolved the Parliament. Toure’s arrest comes few days before new elections at the Femafoot. He is running for a new term unopposed.