Mali arrests dozens of soldiers over alleged plot to overthrow junta
Mali military head
Mali’s military authorities have detained dozens of soldiers accused of plotting to topple the ruling junta, security and army sources told AFP on Sunday.
At least 20 arrests have been confirmed by security officials since Thursday, with some sources citing as many as 50 soldiers in custody.
Those detained include General Abass Dembele, a respected officer and former governor of the Mopti region, who was reportedly arrested at his home in Kati, near the capital Bamako.
Officials say the alleged conspiracy aimed to “destabilise the institutions” and remove the junta, which came to power through coups in 2020 and 2021.
The arrests come amid growing unrest within the military. Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga noted tensions over preferential treatment given to Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group and its successor, Africa Corps, compared to local soldiers.
Since taking power, the junta has distanced itself from France and aligned with Russia in the fight against jihadist insurgencies, but violence and instability persist.
In July, the junta-appointed parliament extended leader Assimi Goita’s mandate for five years — renewable indefinitely — abandoning earlier promises of a return to civilian rule in March 2024.
(AFP)
