The Bamako Military Court held its regular correctional session on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at its headquarters in Dar Salam. Four cases were on the docket, involving six military defendants and one civilian defendant.
The hearing was presided over by Judge Assama Dolo, President of the Bamako Military Court, assisted by the other judges comprising the panel.
The proceedings focused on examining the charges and the criminal responsibility of the defendants, in accordance with the rules of procedure applicable before the military court.
The charges relate to theft, illegal sale, possession, acquisition, and transfer of firearms, breach of trust, fraud, desertion, and violation of general military regulations. The first case concerned Police Sergeant Bourama COULIBALY, stationed at the Kéniéba police station. He was prosecuted for breach of trust, fraud, making false promises, and violating general military regulations.
Following the hearings and after deliberating in accordance with the law, the court found him guilty of the charges against him. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended, and ordered to pay a fine of 500,000 CFA francs.
The court also ordered him to pay over 18 million CFA francs in damages, as well as 3 million CFA francs in compensation.
The second case concerned Private First Class Adama TRAORE, prosecuted for desertion and violating general military regulations. The facts presented in court revealed that he had been granted a fifteen-day leave. However, he allegedly failed to return to his unit upon the expiration of his leave and remained absent from his unit between September 2025 and May 2026. Admitting to the charges against him, the defendant was found guilty by the Court and sentenced to two years' imprisonment, one year of which was suspended.
The third case concerned Chief Warrant Officer Diéka, also known as Youssouf Diabaté, of the National Gendarmerie. He was prosecuted for complicity in an escape and violation of general military regulations.
After examining the facts and evidence submitted for its consideration, the Court found him guilty. Also admitting to the charges, he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, suspended.
As for the fourth case on the docket, its hearing has been postponed until September 8, 2026.
Speaking after the hearing, Captain Alou Synayoko, Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Bamako Military Court, reiterated the seriousness of the breaches of law and military discipline committed by certain soldiers, while emphasizing the specific requirements inherent in the military profession.
According to him, "the military profession is a very noble profession that demands great rigor." In this regard, he stressed the importance of raising awareness among military personnel regarding respect for human rights, the provisions of the Military Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Through the regular operation of its military justice system, the Malian Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to a professional, disciplined, and law-abiding army. The handling of these breaches before the competent courts thus contributes to strengthening the discipline, rigor, and ethics that underpin the military institution.
1st Class Koni KONATE
