Ex-leaders linked to Bah N’Daw face trial over alleged destabilization plot
Six years after Mali entered its transitional phase, a high-profile court hearing in Bamako is bringing renewed attention to an alleged conspiracy case tied to the nation’s political upheavals. On Tuesday, six individuals, all described as close associates of former transitional president Bah N’Daw, will appear before the criminal chambers of the Bamako Court of Appeal to address accusations of attempting to destabilize the government.
Among those on trial are Colonel Kassoum Goïta, who once led the State Security Directorate, and Kalilou Doumbia, who served as Secretary-General of the Presidency during the early stages of the transition. Detained since 2021, both men deny involvement in the alleged plot. Their legal team argues that the proceedings are politically motivated, asserting that their clients are being targeted solely due to their past association with Bah N’Daw, who was removed from power in May 2021 amid a second military takeover.
Who are the accused?
The group facing charges includes a mix of civilian and military figures:
- A senior State Security non-commissioned officer
- A police commissioner
- A prominent businessman
- A traditional healer
Prosecutors accuse them of plotting against the government, though no detailed evidence has been made public. The charges stem from events that unfolded between the August 2020 coup and the May 2021 takeover, a period marked by intense political instability.
Legal battles and stalled justice
In June 2022, a court ruled in favor of Kalilou Doumbia and former Kayes police commissioner Moustapha Diakité, issuing a dismissal of their cases. Yet, despite the judicial decision, both men remained in detention. Later, in January 2023, an appellate court ordered their cases to be sent back to the criminal court, where they now face trial alongside four others. Repeated requests for provisional release have been denied, prolonging their detention.
The defense has consistently maintained that the proceedings lack legal merit and serve only to punish individuals for their past political ties. Their lawyers contend that the trial presents an opportunity to clear their clients’ names and expose what they describe as a miscarriage of justice.
In a related development, the defense filed a complaint in December 2021 against General Modibo Koné, the current head of State Security, alleging misconduct during the arrests of the accused. As of now, no further legal action has been taken in that matter.
The six defendants are expected to appear in court to formally address the charges, all of which they continue to deny. Observers anticipate that the trial could shed further light on the complex web of political rivalries that have shaped Mali’s recent history.