What happened to the Prime Minister of Mali Choguel Maïga? – RFI

Published on: 08/19/2022 – 21:57 In Mali, it has been almost a week since the head of the transitional government stopped work. Last Saturday, the Prime Minister indicated that Choguel Maïga had been put on “forced rest” by his doctor after “fourteen months of tireless work”. Since then, no more official information, which fuels rumors, especially on social networks. “He’s fine,” reassures one of his relatives, “nothing to worry about,” adds another. According to several of his relatives, Choguel Maïga is recovering from his discomfort. Many sources claim that the Prime Minister suffered a stroke or, in any case, a heart problem. What one of his relatives denies, without specifying. Choguel Maïga was first hospitalized in a private clinic in Bamako: is he still there? Was he evacuated abroad? Could it be? On social networks and among many interlocutors, the questions are going well: Morocco, Algeria, Saudi Arabia or Turkey are cited. On this point, the relatives of Choguel Maïga prefer not to answer. Same reaction to the Primature, where we refuse to comment on “rumors”. What about the interim? On the question of the interim: under a decree adopted in July 2021, it is the Minister of Defense, the first in order of appointment, who replaces the Prime Minister if necessary . Colonel Sadio Camara, one of the five colonels behind the August 2020 coup, does he already assume this function? To date, no official communication has come to indicate this. “These are internal questions”, we explain to the Primature. The Ministry of Defense does not wish to confirm or deny the effectiveness of this interim. Colonel Sadio Camara was in Moscow all this week for a conference on international security and a meeting at the Russian Defense Ministry. The time of his return, presumably imminent, has not been communicated. Last Saturday, the Primature indicated that Choguel Maïga “will resume[it] his activities Inch’Allah” during the week that is coming to an end.