Recent arrests of soldiers in Mali, suspected of plotting against the military government, highlight growing tensions within the junta amid an escalating jihadist threat. Key figures, including former governors, are reportedly linked to this turmoil as political strife intensifies.
Rising Tensions in Mali: Soldiers Arrested Over Coup Allegations
Rising Tensions in Mali: Soldiers Arrested Over Coup Allegations
Dozens of military personnel in Mali face arrest amid fears of a conspiracy to undermine the ruling junta, raising concerns over internal instability.
Dozens of soldiers have reportedly been arrested in Mali following allegations of their involvement in a plot to overthrow the country's ruling military junta. This surge in arrests, characterized as ongoing, underscores escalating tensions within the military government, particularly as a jihadist insurgency continues to gain momentum in northern regions. As of now, authorities have refrained from making official statements regarding the detentions.
Initial reports suggested that prominent military figures, including Gen Abass Dembele, the former governor of Mopti, and Gen Nema Sagara, a notable female leader in the armed forces, were among those captured. However, a source close to Gen Dembele contradicted this by stating that he was safe and sound at home, adding complexity to the situation.
According to news agency AFP, the detained soldiers were allegedly part of a broader plan to destabilize the government, validated by multiple military and transitional council sources. An unnamed lawmaker from the National Transition Council revealed that approximately 50 military personnel have been apprehended, while security sources minimized that number to at least 20.
These developments reflect a backdrop of political unrest exacerbated by the junta's actions against former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga. Since August 1, Mara has been held in detention for criticizing the military government, while Maiga is embroiled in judicial issues linked to alleged misconduct.
The junta, which dissolved all political parties last May following rare protests against its governance, has struggled to maintain stability and has delayed promised elections since its two coups in 2020 and 2021. Gen Asimi Goïta, the leader of the junta, extended the transition period by five years in July, allowing his rule to persist until at least 2030.
Mali has been engaged in combating an Islamist insurgency since 2012—an issue the military frequently cites to justify its takeover. Despite efforts to seek assistance from Russian allies and to distance the country from France, reports indicate that jihadist-related violence continues to escalate without significant improvements in security conditions.
