Mali’s military leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, has arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the junta, which itself took power in the West African country in a coup. According to a Malian security source, “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 separate source within the army confirmed an “attempt at destabilisation”, adding that “We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests”.
Among those arrested was General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected military officer. According to a figure close to the officer, “Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,” on the outskirts of the capital Bamako. The reason for his arrest has not been disclosed, with the figure adding that “They have not told him why he was arrested”.
A member of the National Transition Council, the junta-backed parliament, spoke of “around 50 arrests”, saying that “All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta.” The junta has ramped up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest, which has plagued the country since 2012. The regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians, despite efforts to fight jihadists and other internal adversaries [2].
Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga believes that this latest purge is “proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army’s ranks.” According to Maiga, “Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers.” The junta’s decision to grant its chief, General Assimi Goita, a five-year presidential mandate, renewable “as many times as necessary” and without elections, has sparked concerns about the country’s future.
The military government had initially pledged to return to civilian rule in March 2024, but the recent bill passed by the military-appointed legislative body has raised questions about the junta’s commitment to democracy. As the situation in Mali continues to unfold, the international community is watching closely, concerned about the implications for the country’s stability and security.