Ex-Mali Minister Jailed Over BBJ Jet and Arms Deal Corruption
Former Mali finance and economy minister Bouaré Fily Sissoko has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with the controversial 2014 purchase of military equipment and a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ). The Bamako Court of Assizes found Sissoko guilty of “damaging public property,” according to a July 8 verdict reported by Agence France-Presse.
The case, involving over XOF97.5 billion (USD174 million) in allegedly embezzled public funds, focused on no-bid acquisitions made under former president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. The high-profile trial also led to the sentencing of several former officials.
Former minister Moustapha Ben Barka, tried in absentia, received a life sentence. Colonel-Major Nouhoun Dabitao was sentenced to seven years for document forgery tied to military procurement.
The government-owned BBJ, a Boeing 737-700 (registration TZ-PRM), was purchased during the disputed deal and later damaged in a 2024 militant attack at Bamako Airport. The aircraft remains grounded and under repair. Mali also owns a Boeing 727-200, TZ-001.
The court ordered the defendants to repay significant amounts. Sissoko, Ben Barka, and three others were fined XOF40 billion (USD71.3 million), while Dabitao was fined XOF2 billion (USD3.5 million).
Sissoko’s attorney called the sentence “disproportionate,” arguing that she is “paying for others, including the dead,” and confirmed an appeal will be filed.
The late former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, also implicated, died in custody in 2023 while awaiting trial. His death has drawn criticism from supporters of Mali’s current ruling junta.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com