Dozens of soldiers have reportedly been arrested in Mali on allegations of plotting to overthrow the military junta that has been in power since a series of coups in 2020 and 2021. The arrests, which began overnight, reflect escalating tensions within the military government as the country grapples with a resurgent jihadist insurgency, particularly in the northern regions.
Sources indicate that at least 50 soldiers are in custody, with lawmaker reports suggesting arrests are linked to attempts to destabilize the governing institutions. While claims were made that high-ranking generals were among those detained, a source close to Gen Abass Dembele denied his arrest, stating that both he and Gen Nema Sagara, the only woman at the senior ranks of the Malian army, are safe.
The backdrop of these arrests involves political strife, marked by the junta's crackdown on former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga. Mara has been particularly vocal against the military government and has been in detention since early August, while Maiga faces pending judicial actions. This unrest is compounded by the junta's disbanding of all political parties following protests against the military's rule.
Gen Asimi Goïta, the junta's leader who came to power through two coups, promised to hold elections but has since extended the transition period by five years, effectively prolonging military governance until at least 2030. Mali's ongoing battle with an Islamist insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives since 2012, remains a prominent factor in this unstable political climate.
Efforts to regain control have seen the military government turning to Russian allies for assistance, a significant shift from its prior reliance on France for security. However, despite these changes, the situation in Mali remains precarious, with increasing fears of further destabilization as the junta grapples with internal discord and external threats.
