Mali’s military government has announced the arrest of several military officers and civilians, including two generals and an alleged French agent, accusing them of plotting to destabilise the country.
Security minister General Daouda Aly Mohammedine confirmed the arrests on national television on Thursday, stating that an investigation was under way and the situation was “completely under control”.
According to sources cited by Reuters and AFP earlier this week, dozens of military personnel had been detained.
The arrests come amid a broader crackdown on dissent following a pro-democracy rally in May, the first since the army seized power nearly four years ago.
Few details have been released about the alleged conspirators or their plans. Mohammedine identified the French national as Yann Vezilier, accusing him of acting “on behalf of the French intelligence service” and mobilising political, civil society and military figures in Mali. Reports in Mali have described Vezilier as a flight officer listed on the French government website Légifrance as a lieutenant colonel in 2020. France has yet to comment on his detention.
A national broadcaster aired photographs of 11 people alleged to have been involved in the plot, which Mohammedine said began on 1 August. He named two generals, Abass Dembélé, former governor of the Mopti region, and Néma Sagara, noted for her role in fighting militants in 2012, as participants. Dembélé was dismissed in May after calling for an inquiry into allegations that the army had killed civilians in Diafarabé.
Rida Lyammouri, of the Policy Center for the New South in Morocco, said the arrests were more likely intended to intimidate than to thwart a genuine coup attempt. “It’s a continuation of repeated unjustified arrests and prosecution of anyone speaking against the current regime,” he said.
Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, faces a persistent insurgency from armed groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State. Following two coups, Mali’s junta expelled French forces in 2022 and sought security assistance from Russia. Despite this, militant attacks have increased in recent months.
In June, junta leader General Assimi Goïta secured another five years in power, despite earlier pledges to return the country to civilian rule by March 2024. Political parties were dissolved in May.
