Deep cracks are showing in Mali's military government as dozens of soldiers face arrest over an alleged plot to overthrow the junta. With political parties banned, protests crushed, and even the military ranks divided, Mali's five-year military experiment faces its gravest internal challenge yet.
Mali’s military government has arrested roughly 50 soldiers accused of plotting to overthrow the junta—marking the most serious internal challenge to General Assimi Goita’s rule since 2021. Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a respected former governor of Mopti, who was reportedly taken from his home in Kati without explanation.
Officials assert that the soldiers aimed to destabilize transitional institutions. Initial statements confirmed at least 20 arrests, but members of the National Transition Council estimate the figure is closer to 50, all of whom are military personnel.
These arrests coincide with heightened political tensions following the junta’s dissolution of all political parties in May 2025 and its move to extend Goita’s rule until 2030. The decisions triggered rare pro-democracy protests in Bamako, alongside reports of opposition figures being abducted.
Analysts attribute the unrest to growing dissatisfaction within the army, especially concerning preferential treatment for Russian mercenaries. This alleged coup plot follows the Wagner Group’s withdrawal in June 2025, soon replaced by the Russian Africa Corps, as Mali contends with increasing jihadist attacks.
Regionally, Mali’s escalating crisis reflects similar authoritarian trends in Niger and Burkina Faso, with all three countries withdrawing from ECOWAS. Observers caution that divisions within Mali’s armed forces now threaten not only the junta’s stability but also the country’s already fragile security.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
