Ibrahim Maiga

Who is Ibrahim Maiga?

Ibrahim Maiga, also known as Ibi Maiga, born in Mali in 1963 or 1964, is a non-ethnic Slovak singer, actor, comedian, and politician. The BBC describes him as "celebrity in Slovakia".

He moved to what was then Czechoslovakia in the late 1980s, as a student, and subsequently obtained Slovak citizenship. He "quickly became famous as a singer and actor". The BBC describes him as "a well-known figure" through his "infectious humour and songs about his homeland, Mali".

He stood as a candidate for the European Parliament during the 2009 elections, representing the Party of the Democratic Left. As a pro-European, he has stated: "Particularly now, in a time of crisis, we see how important the European Union is. Without its existence, several States might have suffered collapse". Explaining his choice to run for the European Parliament, he also stated: "I really want to fight this election just to show Europe that Slovakia has a great future in Europe. If I'm elected and for the first time in history a black man represents Slovakia, that's going to be obvious to all of Europe."

Maiga speaks six languages.