Thursday, August 13, 2026

Malian President Assimi Goita pardons French national convicted of coup

The Malian government also ordered the immediate expulsion of Mr Vezilier from the national territory.

• August 13, 2026
Malian President Assimi Goita
Assimi Goita

A French national, Yann Vezilier, who was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly plotting a coup in Mali, has been granted a presidential pardon by President Assimi Goita.

The Malian government, in a statement on Thursday, announced the pardon.

“This measure of clemency, which does not call into question the facts established by a contradictory judgment delivered during a trial in which all the rights of the defence were respected, is accompanied by the immediate expulsion of Mr Vezilier from the national territory,” it said.

It added that the clemency offered the opportunity to salute a brotherly country whose good offices, exercised with discretion and in respect for Mali’s sovereignty, contributed to obtaining the pardon.

According to the statement, the clemency demonstrates Mr Goita’s commitment to peace and dialogue, as well as to the ancestral values of forgiveness, hospitality and greatness that characterise the Malian culture.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nigeria Exchange (NGX)

Economy

Stock market sheds N613 billion on sustained sell-offs

Investors lost N613 billion as the equities market extended its losing streak on Thursday.

Elvert Ayambem (Credit: Elvert Ayambem)

Economy

Cross River assembly approves N963 billion supplementary budget

The revised figure represents an increase of N1.45 billion from the earlier N961 billion provision, which translates to a 0.15 per cent increase.

Bola Oyebamiji and President Bola Tinubu

Heading 4

Osun Poll: Tinubu assures residents of security, urges support for Oyebamiji

Mr Tinubu said the necessary security arrangements had been made to ensure a peaceful exercise.

CBN and National Industrial Court

NationWide

Assistant director sues CBN over alleged wrongful dismissal

Mrs Uwem stated that despite serving the CBN meritoriously, conscientiously and diligently for over 21 years, her employment was terminated on May 14, 2026. 

Tunji Alausa and others at the event

Agriculture

FG seeks 80% practical training in agriculture curricula

Mr Alausa said the shift from the previous 70 per cent model to 80 per cent practical and 20 per cent theory would equip Nigerian youths with relevant skills for the sector.