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Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Dozens of Malian soldiers arrested over alleged coup plot
BAMAKO — Dozens of soldiers have been arrested in Mali accused of plotting to topBple the country's military leaders, sources say. The wave of arrests, which reportedly went on overnight and are expected to continue, reflect increased tensions within the military government, with reports that an insurgency in the north is gaining ground. The authorities have not commented on the arrests. Initial reports indicated that Gen Abass Dembele, the former governor of the Mopti region and Gen Nema Sagara, one of the few women at the highest levels of the Malian army, were among those detained. However, a source close to Gen Dembele told the BBC that neither of them had been arrested. The source, who confirmed the ongoing arrests, told a BBC reporter in Bamako that he had just left Gen Dembele's house and he was "doing well". The AFP news agency reported that the detained soldiers were allegedly planning to overthrow the government, citing multiple sources within the military and junta-backed transitional council."All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," it quoted an unnamed lawmaker in the National Transition Council as said there had been about "50 arrests", while a security source said there were at least 20 arrests, linked to "attempts to destabilise the institutions," AFP arrests have reportedly been going on over a number of come amid political tension heightened by the junta's crackdown on former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maiga over accusations of harming the reputation of the state and a recent outspoken critic of the military government, has been in detention since 1 August, while Maiga is facing judicial May, the junta dissolved all political parties following rare anti-government protests, which Mara described as a severe blow to reconciliation efforts initiated by the military leaders last junta leader Gen Asimi Goïta, who seized power through two coups in 2020 and 2021, had promised elections last year, but these have never been July, the transition period was extended by five years, clearing him to continue leading the country until at least has been fighting an Islamist insurgency since 2012 — one of the reasons given for the military takeover but attacks by jihadist groups have continued and even its neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso, it has enlisted the help of Russian allies to contain the jihadist attacks in the region after breaking ties with France — but there has been no significant improvements in security. — BBC
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Mali Arrests Dozens Of Soldiers Over Alleged Bid To Topple Junta
Mali has arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the junta, which itself took power in the west African country in a coup, sources told AFP on Sunday. Since seizing the reins in Mali through back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African country's junta has ramped up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest. "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 told AFP. A separate source within the army confirmed an "attempt at destabilisation", adding: "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. "Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati," on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a figure close to the officer said. "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". "All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," the lawmaker said. Since 2012 Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation. Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits. After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso. It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries. Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians. For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was "proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army's ranks". "Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers," Maiga added.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Mali arrests dozens of soldiers over alleged bid to topple junta
Mali has arrested dozens of soldiers suspected of plotting to overthrow the junta, which itself took power in the west African country in a coup, sources told AFP on Sunday (August 10, 2025). Since seizing the reins in Mali through back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African country's junta has ramped up repression of its critics in the face of widespread jihadist unrest. "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 told AFP. A separate source within the Army confirmed an "attempt at destabilisation", adding: "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. "Soldiers came early this morning [Sunday] to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati," on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a figure close to the officer said. "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". "All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta," the lawmaker said. 'Grumblings within the ranks' Since 2012, Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation. Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits. After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso. It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries. Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians. For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was "proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army's ranks". "Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers," Mr. Maiga added.
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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
Mali junta detains dozens of soldiers over alleged coup plot
Mali's ruling junta has detained dozens of soldiers, including prominent military commander General Abass Dembele, over an alleged plot to overthrow the government. The arrests come amid growing dissent within the armed forces and continued instability in the West African nation. read more Mali has detained scores of troops accused of trying to depose the junta, which gained control in the west African country in a coup, sources said AFP on Sunday. Since capturing power in Mali via back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, the west African country's junta has increased persecution of its critics in the face of massive terrorist rebellion. '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 told AFP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A different army source acknowledged a 'attempt at destabilisation,' adding, 'We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests.' General Abass Dembele, a famous military commander and former governor of the central Mopti district, was among those seized. 'Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati,' on the outskirts of the capital Bamako, a source close to the officer claimed. 'They have not told him why he was arrested.' A member of the National Transition Council, the junta-backed parliament, stated that 'around 50 arrests' had occurred. 'All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta,' the legislator stated. 'Grumblings within the ranks' Since 2012 Mali has been wracked with crises on various fronts, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks across the Sahel nation. Criminal and sectarian violence are likewise rife, while the economy is in dire straits. After the coups, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler, as have its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso. It has forged ties with new allies, notably Russia, whose mercenaries from the paramilitary Wagner group and its successor Africa Corps have helped the military fight jihadists and other internal adversaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet, like Niger and Burkina Faso, Mali has continued to struggle to contain the jihadist threat, while the regular army and its Russian allies are frequently accused of committing atrocities against civilians. For Malian sociologist Oumar Maiga, this latest purge was 'proof that the officers are struggling to control the situation. There are grumblings within the army's ranks'. 'Some soldiers are not happy with the treatment given to the Russian mercenaries at the expense of Malian soldiers,' Maiga added.
Morocco World
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Protesters in Mali Denounce Autocratization Under President Assimi Goita
Rabat – Malian democracy is under threat of autocratization, after Assimi Goita banned political parties and abducted opposition leaders. Consolidation of Power Political parties and organizations were banned under the military governance of General Assimi Goita on 13 May. This period marks a descent into dictatorship, putting Mali's established democracy under threat. Mali is a nation struggling with a number of problems , including an economic crisis, a strong presence of armed militias throughout the country, and terrorist attacks on civilians. Al Qaida-affiliate terrorist groups have been killing civilians and destroying villages in rebel-held regions outside the capital, Bamako. The military leader, General Assimi Goita, originally came to power after two back-to-back coups d'etat in 2020 and 2021. Originally, his presidency received widespread support throughout the country. This was due to his perceived ability to bring stability and promise to reinstate elections. Since 2021, Goita has taken a number of steps to strengthen his power in the country. This has included removing the civilian leadership in 2022 and suspending the promised elections without providing an alternative timeline. He has also replaced United Nations peacekeepers with Wagner, withdrawn from ECOWAS, and joined the new Alliance of Sahel States. Crackdown on Opposition The recent period of autocratization began on April 10, 2024, when the National Transition Council voted to extend Goita's presidency until 2030, effectively granting him a five-year extension. The council also voted to suspend all political activities until further notice. Opposition groups and protestors took to the streets of Bamako on May 3-4, after the meeting that installed Goita for another five years and banned political activities. The protestors carried placards stating, 'down with dictatorship, long live democracy'. The government responded to the protests with the decision to ban political parties and organizations. The announcement was made by Mamani Nassire, minister of political reform, on State Television, after a meeting of the National Transition Council voted in favor of the dissolution. This decision has triggered fears that the nation's era of democracy is over, and the country has returned to the period of dictatorship under President Moussa Traore, which came to an end after democracy was established after a coup in 1991. Under the new directive, all political parties and organizations are to be closed and blocked from operating under threat of legal repercussions. After the announcement that political parties were suspended, there have been fears that opposition leaders have been abducted. Human Rights Watch has stated that it believes Abba Alhassane, opposition leader of the CODEM Party, was abducted by 'masked gunmen claiming to be gendarmes.' Another opposition leader who was reportedly seized is El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema Party. Both figures are considered forcibly disappeared. Many opponents of the Goita regime state that these actions and abductions are a threat to the future of Malian democracy, and that the state has begun to resemble the Traore dictatorship from thirty-five years ago. Tags: maliMali democracyMalian politicspolitics
