Recent reports reveal that dozens of soldiers in Mali have been arrested on suspicion of plotting to overthrow the military junta, highlighting escalated tensions as the country grapples with an ongoing jihadist insurgency and political strife.
Tensions Rise in Mali as Soldiers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot
Tensions Rise in Mali as Soldiers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot
A significant wave of arrests among Malian soldiers marks a growing unease within the military government amidst a worsening jihadist threat.
Dozens of soldiers in Mali have been apprehended following allegations of a conspiracy to overthrow the country's military leadership. These arrests, which reportedly occurred overnight and may continue, indicate rising tensions within the military governance as the country struggles with an intensifying jihadist insurgency in the northern regions. Official comments from authorities regarding the arrests are still awaited.
Initial reports identified several high-profile figures among the detained, including Gen Abass Dembele, the former governor of Mopti, and Gen Nema Sagara, one of the few women in senior military positions. However, a source close to Gen Dembele clarified to the BBC that he had not been arrested and is reportedly doing well.
According to AFP, the soldiers were allegedly coordinating efforts to unseat the ruling junta, drawing from information provided by military insiders and members of the junta-backed transitional council. An unnamed lawmaker noted that approximately "50 arrests" had been made, while a security source placed that number at a minimum of 20, linking the actions to attempts to undermine governmental authority.
These arrests are taking place amidst a wave of political unrest, particularly heightened by the junta's crackdown on former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga over accusations of state defamation and embezzlement. Mara, known for his vocal criticism of the military government, has been in custody since early August, while Maiga is facing judicial consequences.
In a further demonstration of political tensions, the junta disbanded all political parties in May following rare anti-government protests, which Mara condemned as a significant setback to reconciliation efforts initiated by military leaders last year. The junta's leader, Gen Asimi Goïta, who orchestrated power grabs in 2020 and 2021, had previously pledged elections, which have yet to occur. After extending the transition period by five years in July, he is now positioned to remain in power until at least 2030.
Mali, embroiled in a struggle against Islamist insurgents since 2012—a key justification for military operations—continues to see escalated attacks from jihadist factions. Alongside neighboring nations like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has sought assistance from Russian allies to address these threats after severing ties with France, but this shift has yet to yield significant security improvements.
