Malian authorities have detained more than 30 soldiers and senior military officials accused of plotting to undermine the government, two security sources revealed. Those arrested include General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region, with sources putting the number of detainees between 36 and 40.
The arrests come amid ongoing political consolidation by the junta, which seized power in coups in 2020 and 2021. In April, a national conference proposed granting interim leader General Assimi Goita a five-year presidential term and dissolving all political parties, triggering rare protests in Bamako before political activities were suspended nationwide.
While officials have not publicly commented on the alleged plot, the detentions highlight simmering tensions within the military as Mali battles a worsening insurgency led by al-Qaeda-linked militants. Since breaking ties with Western allies, the country has deepened its security partnership with Russia alongside fellow military-led states Burkina Faso and Niger.