Mali’s ruling junta announced Thursday the arrest of a French national suspected of working for French intelligence, accusing “foreign states” of seeking to destabilise the country. Authorities said dozens of Malian soldiers were also detained in recent days for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, which came to power after back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.
Mali has faced a deep security crisis since 2012, plagued by Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked militants, as well as armed criminal networks. In a televised statement, the military said “fringe elements” of the armed forces were working to “destabilise the institutions of the republic” with foreign support.
Security sources told AFP at least 55 soldiers had been arrested, including two generals — among them Abbas Dembele, a respected officer and former governor recently dismissed. The arrests were concentrated in the national guard, the same branch that produced Defence Minister Sadio Camara, a central figure in the junta who has not been questioned.
Observers note some detainees were close to Camara, but no official link has been established. Separately, former civilian prime minister Choguel Maiga and several ex-colleagues were detained Tuesday in an investigation into alleged public fund misappropriation.
Maiga, a former junta ally appointed in 2021, was removed late last year after criticising the generals for excluding him from key decisions. The junta insists there is no connection between Maiga’s arrest and the alleged coup plot.
Led by President Assimi Goita, Mali has severed ties with Western allies, notably France, turning instead to Russia for political and military backing in the name of sovereignty. Malian forces and Russian mercenaries have been accused by rights groups of committing abuses during operations against militants.
