Kissima Doukara (1934 – August 19, 1983) was a Malian military officer and statesman who served as the Minister of Defense and Internal Security under the regime of President Moussa Traoré. He was a key figure in the 1968 Malian coup d'état that overthrew President Modibo Keïta and was a founding member of the Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN).
Biography
Doukara was born in 1934 to a Soninke family in the village of Wolocoro, near Mourdiah, in what was then French Sudan (now Mali). He rose through the ranks of the Malian military and became an instructor at the Kati garrison.
Role in the 1968 Coup
Doukara participated in the November 19, 1968, military coup that deposed President Modibo Keïta. Following the coup, he became a founding member of the Military Committee for National Liberation, the junta that governed Mali under Moussa Traoré.
Minister of Defense and Internal Security (1970–1978)
In 1970, Doukara was appointed Minister of Defense and Internal Security. During his tenure, he was responsible for arresting dissidents, including the arrest of former Prime Minister Yoro Diakité and Malik Diallo in 1970. Along with Tiécoro Bagayoko, Doukara became one of the most influential and feared members of the regime, known for his tight grip on security and widespread corruption.
In 1974, Doukara was put in charge of alleviating a famine caused by a severe drought. However, like many other officials, he embezzled large sums of money from foreign aid funds. A border dispute with Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) during this period led to the strengthening of the Malian army and further bolstered Doukara's political position.
Both Doukara and Bagayoko opposed Traoré's plan to transition to civilian rule, including the establishment of the Democratic Union of the Malian People (UDPM) in 1976.
Downfall and Death
In February 1978, Traoré moved against Doukara and Bagayoko, accusing them of corruption and plotting a coup and assassination attempt against him. They were arrested along with Public Works Minister Karim Dembélé. Foreign Minister Charles Samba Sissoko, whom Doukara and his allies had favored as Traoré's replacement, was arrested in March 1978.
Doukara was sentenced to death for political crimes, including embezzling approximately nine million dollars. The Supreme Court commuted his sentence to life imprisonment in 1979. He was sent to the salt mines at Taoudenni, a notorious desert prison in northern Mali.
On August 19, 1983, Doukara was tortured to death by Malian soldiers at Taoudenni. According to reports, when torture failed to kill him, he was executed by other means. His body was discovered on September 19, 1983, and buried in a small open grave.
