Bamako, Mali– Mali’s ruling junta has arrested around 20 soldiers accused of plotting to overthrow the military government, security and army sources told AFP on Sunday.
The arrests, which began three days ago, are linked to what officials described as an “attempt to destabilise the institutions” of the West African nation.
“Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests,” a Malian security source confirmed.
A separate army source corroborated the account, saying:
“We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests.”
Senior Officer Detained
Among those taken into custody is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a widely respected figure in Mali’s armed forces.
“Soldiers came early this morning to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,” said a source close to the officer, referring to the garrison town just outside Bamako. “They have not told him why he was arrested.”
A Nation in Crisis
Mali has been in a state of political and security turmoil since 2012, battling armed insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as widespread criminal and sectarian violence. The economy remains in deep distress, adding to the instability.
The current junta itself seized power in a coup, the latest in a string of takeovers that have defined Mali’s turbulent political landscape over the past decade.
Authorities have not provided further details on the alleged coup plot or the next steps for those detained.
