Mali Former President Ibrahim Keïta Passes Away at 76

JAKARTADAILY.ID- Mali's former president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, has died recently in his home in Bamako at 76. The news was confirmed by family members and officials. The cause of death has not been disclosed to the public.

The former president ruled Mali for seven years before being ousted by a military coup in 2020. The people were displeased with how Keïta ruled the country which resulted in a country-wide protest.

People were angry that he failed to deliver his promise in 2013 on stopping corruption in the country. Rumors suggest that his government might also be indicated in corruption. History repeated as the previous president, Amadou Toumani Touré, was also considered corrupt by the military and was removed by a coup in 2012.

According to Reuters (January 17, 2022), "In 2014, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund froze nearly $70 million in financing after the IMF expressed concern over the purchase of a $40 million presidential jet and the transparency of Mali's defense spending."

Keïta's mishandling of jihadist attacks has surged during his time causing him to lose more support. The Rally for Mali politician was involved in pushing back the ethnic Tuareg rebels in 2012 which had successfully claimed most of the country. The rebellion ceased with the help of the country’s former colonial ruler France.

Keïta, who was elected president in the 2013 Mali presidential election and reelected in 2018, was known to seek international assistance in governing as well. Unfortunately, the assistance had failed in the long term and the country fell back which resulted in many lost lives.

His period has many other failings including "slow reforms, a crumbling economy, and decrepit public services and schools" according to Aljazeera (January 17, 2022).