Mali’s ruling junta has arrested several high-ranking generals and a French national accused of conspiring to overthrow the government, escalating tensions in a country already fraught with political instability.
According to state media reports, the arrests took place after intelligence services uncovered what authorities described as a “destabilization attempt.” The detained officers are accused of plotting to unseat interim President Assimi Goïta, who himself came to power in a 2021 coup.
Among those arrested is a French citizen, whose identity has not been disclosed. Malian authorities claim the suspect had ties to international actors allegedly supporting the coup plot.
The junta, which has repeatedly delayed a promised transition to civilian rule, said it will remain “vigilant against foreign interference and internal betrayal.” Critics argue that the arrests may be part of a wider crackdown on dissent within the military.
Mali, along with neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger, has formed a military alliance to combat jihadist insurgencies across the Sahel. All three countries have experienced coups in recent years, fueling concerns of democratic backsliding in the region.
The detentions highlight ongoing volatility in Mali, where political uncertainty continues to undermine governance while Islamist violence and humanitarian crises worsen.