Dozens of Malian soldiers have been arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup against the military junta. As tensions rise, reactions to political repression and a worsening jihadist threat fuel instability in the country.
Tensions Escalate in Mali as Soldiers Are Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot
Tensions Escalate in Mali as Soldiers Are Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot
Multiple arrests in the Malian military highlight growing unrest within the junta-led government amid ongoing security challenges.
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Dozens of soldiers in Mali have reportedly been detained amid allegations of plotting to oust the current military government. The arrests, which appear to have escalated overnight, underscore increasing unrest within the ruling junta amidst a backdrop of intensifying jihadist violence in northern Mali. So far, the official government has not released a statement regarding these developments.
Among those implicated in the initial reports is Gen. Abass Dembele, who previously served as the governor of Mopti, and Gen. Nema Sagara, one of the few women to hold a senior position in the military. However, a reliable source close to Gen. Dembele indicated to BBC that he has not been arrested and is in good health.
Sources, including the AFP news agency, have disclosed that the detained personnel were allegedly orchestrating efforts to overthrow the junta led by Gen. Asimi Goïta, who came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021. A lawmaker from the National Transition Council was cited, stating there have been approximately “50 arrests,” with a security source confirming at least 20 soldiers detained, linked to attempts to destabilize government structures. Reports suggest that these arrests have been ongoing over several days.
The crackdown occurs amidst rising political tensions fueled by the junta's recent actions against former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga, who face charges related to damaging the state's reputation and financial misconduct. Since early August, Mara has been in detention, and Maiga is under judicial scrutiny. In May, the junta took a drastic step by dissolving all political parties following rare protests against their governance, a move further disparaged by Mara and other critics as detrimental to reconciliation efforts.
Despite promises for elections made last year, no polls have transpired, and in July, the junta extended its transition period by an additional five years, permitting Goïta to maintain his leadership position until at least 2030. This political instability coincides with a significant jihadist insurgency that has plagued Mali since 2012. In response to ongoing violence, Mali, alongside Niger and Burkina Faso, has sought assistance from Russian allies, despite severing ties with France; however, security conditions show little sign of improvement.
Dozens of soldiers in Mali have reportedly been detained amid allegations of plotting to oust the current military government. The arrests, which appear to have escalated overnight, underscore increasing unrest within the ruling junta amidst a backdrop of intensifying jihadist violence in northern Mali. So far, the official government has not released a statement regarding these developments.
Among those implicated in the initial reports is Gen. Abass Dembele, who previously served as the governor of Mopti, and Gen. Nema Sagara, one of the few women to hold a senior position in the military. However, a reliable source close to Gen. Dembele indicated to BBC that he has not been arrested and is in good health.
Sources, including the AFP news agency, have disclosed that the detained personnel were allegedly orchestrating efforts to overthrow the junta led by Gen. Asimi Goïta, who came to power after coups in 2020 and 2021. A lawmaker from the National Transition Council was cited, stating there have been approximately “50 arrests,” with a security source confirming at least 20 soldiers detained, linked to attempts to destabilize government structures. Reports suggest that these arrests have been ongoing over several days.
The crackdown occurs amidst rising political tensions fueled by the junta's recent actions against former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga, who face charges related to damaging the state's reputation and financial misconduct. Since early August, Mara has been in detention, and Maiga is under judicial scrutiny. In May, the junta took a drastic step by dissolving all political parties following rare protests against their governance, a move further disparaged by Mara and other critics as detrimental to reconciliation efforts.
Despite promises for elections made last year, no polls have transpired, and in July, the junta extended its transition period by an additional five years, permitting Goïta to maintain his leadership position until at least 2030. This political instability coincides with a significant jihadist insurgency that has plagued Mali since 2012. In response to ongoing violence, Mali, alongside Niger and Burkina Faso, has sought assistance from Russian allies, despite severing ties with France; however, security conditions show little sign of improvement.
