Portrait

Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, the sad end of a heavyweight in Malian politics

Former Malian Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga.

MICHELE CATTANI / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The former Malian Prime Minister, detained in the central detention center in Bamako and then transferred to a clinic, died on Monday March 21.

His state of health had deteriorated and despite medical recommendations, his medical evacuation was never permitted by the transitional authorities.

Back on the trajectory of the one who navigated a lot in the mysteries of the Malian state.

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In strict costume or in traditional dress,

 had the same impassive gaze.

A journalist by profession, a specialist in security and defense issues, the man nicknamed “the Tiger” rubbed shoulders with politics very early on.

He took part in the Malian revolution of March 1991, before putting himself at the service of three elected Malian heads of state.

Under the presidency of Alpha Oumar Konaré, Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, also known by his initials "SBM", notably holds the positions of Director of State Security and Minister of Defense.

As head of intelligence, he has the reputation of being a tough man, foiling at least “ 

 ”.

►To re-read: Death in detention of former Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga

An unsuccessful presidential candidate in 2007, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs by former President Amadou Toumani Touré.

IN 2013, he became Minister of Defense for President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

A great state clerk with an address book provided, he was then appointed Prime Minister of IBK, whose re-election he largely contributed to in 2018.

SBM had not been Prime Minister since 2019, but he still weighed in on the local political scene.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Soumeylou Boubèye Maïga, eminent Malian statesman, committed Africanist and personal friend.

My sincere condolences to his widow, to all his family and to his loved ones.

May God welcome him to his vast paradise.

pic.twitter.com/HyT8foAoi6

—Ramtane Lamamra |

رمطان لعمامرة (@Lamamra_dz) March 21, 2022

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