Following reports circulating on social media about the arrest of Moroccan drivers in Mali, an official source at the Moroccan embassy in Bamako has confirmed the incident and provided further details.
On June 22, the embassy was informed through its own channels about the detention of six Moroccan drivers and their assistants, a total of 12 people, by the gendarmerie in the town of Diéma, approximately 350 kilometers from Bamako. They were traveling in six trucks.
Upon receiving this information, the embassy contacted the Malian Ministry of Security, which sent an official to the site to assess the situation. At the same time, the embassy held discussions with Moroccan drivers currently in Mali to gather more information.
According to the details collected, the arrests followed a serious accident in the nearby locality of Béma, 67 km from Diéma. One of the trucks was involved in the accident, which left a 5-year-old child permanently disabled.
Following the embassy’s intervention and preliminary investigation, five drivers were released and permitted to leave Malian territory for Mauritania. However, the sixth driver, identified as M.A., and his assistant remained in custody as the investigation continued.
On June 24, 2025, the Malian prosecutor’s office ordered their release, returning their passports and the truck’s documents. The truck, however, was sealed as a precautionary measure. The trial is scheduled for September 30, 2025.
Local authorities informed the two Moroccan nationals they were free to leave Mali, provided the vehicle remains immobilized until the hearing.
The Moroccan embassy in Bamako continues to maintain close contact with the driver involved to provide all necessary assistance and is also coordinating with the truck’s owner to explore legal options for resolving the case.
