Dozens of Soldiers Detained in Mali Amid Alleged Coup Plot

Tensions escalate in Mali as numerous soldiers are apprehended over an alleged coup attempt against the ruling junta, amidst a deteriorating security situation marked by jihadist insurgency.

In Mali, a significant number of soldiers have reportedly been arrested for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the military junta currently in power, according to various sources. This surge in arrests, which began overnight, underscores the growing tensions within the country's military regime. The arrests appear to be linked to increasing instability, particularly fueled by a jihadist insurgency in the northern regions. As it stands, the authorities have remained silent regarding these detentions.

Initial reports suggested that high-profile figures such as Gen Abass Dembele, former governor of the Mopti region, and Gen Nema Sagara, one of the few female leaders in the upper echelons of the Malian military, were among those taken into custody. However, a source close to Gen Dembele has refuted these claims, stating that he is safe and well, having just visited him.

According to reports from the AFP news agency, detainees have been accused of plotting to destabilize the civilian institutions of the nascent government. An anonymous lawmaker within the National Transition Council indicated that approximately "50 arrests" have been made, whereas a security source estimated around 20 arrests had occurred, tied to attempts to upend the junta.

The spate of arrests has unfolded against a backdrop of increasing political strife, particularly following the junta's recent actions against former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga. Mara, known for his critical stance towards the military leadership, has been detained since early August, while Maiga faces judicial challenges.

In a significant political shift earlier this year, the junta dissolved all political parties in response to rare anti-government protests, a move that Mara condemned as detrimental to any reconciliation efforts initiated by the military leadership in the preceding year.

Junta leader Gen Asimi Goïta, who rose to power through coups in 2020 and 2021, had once pledged to hold elections, yet these have yet to materialize. In July, the transitional period was extended for five more years, allowing Goïta to maintain his grip on the country's leadership until at least 2030.

Despite promises of security, Mali continues to grapple with an Islamist insurgency that has lingered since 2012, a crisis often cited as a justification for the military takeover. Attacks by jihadist factions have escalated, leading the junta to seek support from Russian allies as it distances itself from France. However, the situation remains dire with no significant improvements in public safety.