Malian authorities have arrested dozens of soldiers accused of attempting to overthrow the country’s ruling junta, which itself came to power through successive coups in 2020 and 2021, AFP reports.
Security officials confirmed that the arrests, carried out over the past three days, were linked to an alleged plan to destabilise the government.
“Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests,” a Malian security source told AFP.
An army source also acknowledged the incident, saying: “We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests.”
Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a highly respected military officer. “Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,” a close associate of the general said. “They have not told him why he was arrested.”
A member of the National Transition Council, Mali’s junta-backed parliament, claimed the number of detainees was much higher. “All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta,” the lawmaker stated, adding that “around 50 arrests” had been made.
Mali has faced political and security turmoil since 2012, with armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State launching frequent deadly attacks. Criminal violence, ethnic tensions, and an economic crisis have further destabilised the Sahel nation.
Following its seizure of power, the junta distanced itself from France, aligning instead with new partners such as Russia. Russian paramilitary forces, including the Wagner group and its successor, Africa Corps, have been assisting Malian troops in counterinsurgency operations. However, both the army and its Russian allies have faced repeated accusations of civilian abuses.
For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, the latest arrests reflect internal instability. He said the purge was “proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army’s ranks.”
“Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers,” Maiga added.
In July, Mali’s military-appointed legislature passed a controversial bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goita a five-year presidential mandate, which can be renewed “as many times as necessary” without elections. This move came despite an earlier promise to restore civilian rule by March 2024.
