Mali’s military authorities have detained around 20 soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the ruling junta, security sources revealed on Sunday. The arrests, which took place over the past three days, are linked to what officials described as an “attempt to destabilise the institutions” of the West African nation.
A Malian security official, speaking to AFP, confirmed the scale of the crackdown, stating, “There have been at least around 20 arrests.” A second army source echoed the claim, adding that the necessary detentions had been made to neutralise the threat.
Among those taken into custody is General Abass Dembele, a respected senior officer and former governor of the central Mopti region. According to a figure close to Dembele, soldiers arrived early on Sunday morning in Kati, a garrison town on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, to apprehend him. “They have not told him why he was arrested,” the source added.
The arrests mark a significant moment for Mali’s military leadership, which itself came to power through a coup in August 2020, followed by a second takeover in May 2021. The junta, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta, has faced mounting domestic and international pressure to restore civilian rule, amid an ongoing transition process that has been repeatedly delayed.
Mali has endured a decade-long crisis since 2012, when an insurgency in the north triggered political instability and successive coups. Militants linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have expanded their operations across the Sahel, launching frequent and deadly attacks on civilians, soldiers, and UN peacekeepers.
Beyond the security threat, Mali grapples with deep economic hardship and widespread criminal and communal violence. The junta’s decision in 2022 to expel French troops and pivot towards partnerships with Russia’s Wagner Group has further strained relations with Western allies.
The latest alleged coup plot underscores the fragility of Mali’s political environment, where competing power interests within the military remain a persistent risk. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the arrests or outline the charges the suspects may face.
With the country already beset by insurgency, economic turmoil, and diplomatic isolation, the internal unrest could further complicate efforts to steer Mali towards long-promised democratic elections.
