By Enyichukwu Enemanna
At least 20 soldiers have been taken into custody over suspicion that they were planning to topple the junta-led government in Mali, which itself took power through a military coup in the West African nation, sources disclosed on Sunday.
“Since three days ago, there have been arrests linked to an attempt to destabilise the institutions. There have been at least around 20 arrests,” AFP quoted a Malian security source as saying.
A separate source within the army confirmed an “attempt at destabilisation,” adding, “We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests”.
Among those arrested was a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected military officer, General Abass Dembele.
“Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati. They have not told him why he was arrested,” 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.
The West African nation has recorded series of coups and attempted coups in recent years.
It has also faced escalated crises on various fronts since 2012, with militants linked to the Al-Qaeda or Islamic State groups carrying out violent attacks displacing thousands of residents.
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.
Following the coup, the junta turned its back on France, arguing that the country should be free of its former colonial ruler.
It was joined by its fellow military-run allies in Niger and Burkina Faso who have all turned to Russia for economic and security partnership.
