AFP, citing security sources, reported on Sunday that 'at least around 20' soldiers had been arrested over the past three days in connection with what was described as an 'attempt to destabilise the institutions.' An army source confirmed the alleged plot and said that 'necessary arrests' had been carried out.
Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and senior officer.
'Soldiers came early this morning to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,' near the capital Bamako, a source close to the general said, adding that no reason for his detention had been provided.
A member of the junta-backed National Transition Council claimed that as many as 50 soldiers were in custody, all suspected of seeking to overthrow the military leadership.
The arrests highlight growing tensions within Mali's armed forces. 'This proves that the officers are struggling to control the situation,' said Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, pointing to 'grumblings' over the role of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group and its successor, Africa Corps. 'Some soldiers are unhappy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers,' he added.
Since 2012, Mali has faced relentless violence from jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, along with criminal and communal conflict. After taking power, the junta expelled French forces and aligned with Russia, but the security situation remains volatile.
In July, the military-appointed legislature passed a bill granting junta leader General Assimi Goita a renewable five-year presidential mandate, effectively removing any immediate path back to civilian rule. The junta had initially promised elections by March 2024, but the timetable has since been abandoned.
The government has not yet issued an official statement on the alleged coup plot or the fate of the detained soldiers.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
