A TikTok post claiming to show Mali's Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga delivering a speech at the United Nations in September 2026 has been found to be misleading. The video was actually recorded in September 2022 during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. In the speech, Maïga, who was then the interim Prime Minister, affirmed Mali's commitment to its sovereignty and independence.
The speech in question was given by General Abdoulaye Maïga, who made several key statements, including criticism of French policies towards Mali. He accused France of promoting obscurantism and attempting to exert neo-colonial influence over Mali. These statements were made in the context of Mali's relations with international partners and its commitment to strategic autonomy.
A reverse image search of the TikTok post revealed that the speech was not from 2026, but rather from 2022. Further investigation by PesaCheck found that there was no record of Abdoulaye Maïga delivering a speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2026. Instead, it was Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, who led the Malian delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
In 2025, Abdoulaye Maïga did represent Mali at the UN General Assembly during its 80th session. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2026. PesaCheck's investigation highlights the importance of verifying information, especially on social media platforms, to prevent the spread of misinformation.
PesaCheck is a fact-checking initiative that aims to help the public distinguish between fact and fiction in public statements about finance and governance in Africa. The organization works in partnership with social media platforms and local media outlets to verify the accuracy of information. In this case, PesaCheck's investigation was able to debunk the misleading video and provide accurate context.
The fact-checking process involved a thorough investigation, including image searches and verification of official records. PesaCheck's team of fact-checkers and editors worked to verify the information and provide a clear and accurate account of the events. The organization's work is crucial in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
PesaCheck's findings have been endorsed by its editorial team and are part of its ongoing efforts to combat misinformation on social media platforms. The organization continues to work with partners to promote fact-based information and provide accurate context to the public.
Key points
- The viral video of Mali's Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga's UN speech was recorded in September 2022, not in September 2026.
- The speech was given during the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
- There is no evidence to suggest that Abdoulaye Maïga delivered a speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2026.
