Dozens of soldiers in Mali have been detained under suspicion of attempting to destabilize the government, signaling heightened turmoil in the military-led administration.
Mali's Military Faces Internal Unrest as Soldiers Arrested for Alleged Coup Plot
Mali's Military Faces Internal Unrest as Soldiers Arrested for Alleged Coup Plot
Growing tensions within Mali's junta lead to numerous arrests as soldiers are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
In a recent escalation of internal strife, sources have reported that numerous soldiers in Mali were apprehended over night, accused of plotting an attempted coup against the country’s military leaders. This significant crackdown underscores rising tensions within the junta, compounded by increasing jihadist activity in the northern regions. Official statements from authorities regarding the arrests are currently lacking.
Initial reports highlighted the potential involvement of notable figures such as Gen Abass Dembele, formerly the governor of the Mopti region, and Gen Nema Sagara, one of the few high-ranking female officers in the Malian army; however, close contacts suggest that these individuals have not been detained. A source has confirmed that Gen Dembele remains unharmed, despite the chaos surrounding the ongoing operations.
The French news agency, AFP, cited anonymous military sources indicating that approximately 50 soldiers were arrested, allegedly planning to overthrow the existing junta. The tension has been exacerbated by the junta’s recent actions against former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga, both of whom have faced fallout for criticism of the military government. Mara has been detained since August, while Maiga is dealing with judicial repercussions.
In the backdrop of these events, Mali’s junta dissolved all political parties following protests late last year, an action that Mara lambasted as detrimental to any reconciliation process. The junta, which initially promised to transition back to democratic elections by late last year, extended its control period by five years in July 2022, confirming General Asimi Goïta's leadership until at least 2030.
Mali has struggled with a persistent Islamist insurgency since 2012, which was partly used as justification for military takeovers. This has led to an alliance with Russian forces for support against increasing attacks, following the severance of ties with France. However, improved security conditions remain elusive.
With the region's instability continuing to impact its governance and welfare, the chain of arrests could signal deeper fractures within the military government. The situation remains fluid as more updates on the arrests and their implications are anticipated.
