Mali Generals Seized in Coup Plot Crackdown

Alithia Nantege, Africa One News |Politics

Monday, August 11, 2025 at 3:45:00 PM UTC

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At least 45 Malian soldiers, including two generals, were arrested over the weekend for allegedly attempting to destabilize the institutions of the Sahel nation, a move that signals deepening fractures within Mali’s military-led government. Among those detained was General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a widely respected figure within the armed forces. Dembele was reportedly apprehended early Sunday morning on the outskirts of Bamako, the capital, without any formal charges or explanation, according to a source close to the general. Also arrested was Brigadier General Nema Sagara, one of the few high-ranking women in Mali’s air force, whose detention has drawn particular attention due to her symbolic role in advancing gender representation within the military. A member of parliament confirmed that all those arrested were soldiers, stating that their objective had been to overthrow the ruling junta.

The arrests come amid growing unrest in Mali, where the military has held power since a coup in August 2020. That coup, led by a group of soldiers who stormed Bamako and detained then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, followed weeks of mass protests over his failure to contain Islamist insurgencies in the north. The junta initially promised swift reforms and a return to civilian rule, but internal divisions led to a second coup in May 2021, which brought Colonel Assimi Goïta to power. Goïta has remained president ever since, consolidating control over the country’s institutions while delaying democratic elections.

Despite pledging to hold elections within 18 months of the initial coup, the junta has repeatedly postponed the vote, most recently pushing it to 2027. This delay has fueled widespread frustration among Malians and drawn criticism from international observers. In May 2025, Goïta dissolved all political parties and organizations, citing national security concerns. The move triggered nationwide protests and was widely condemned as a blow to democratic freedoms.

Meanwhile, Mali continues to face a worsening security crisis. Islamist militant groups have expanded their operations, particularly in central and northern regions. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), jihadist violence claimed the lives of 7,620 people across the Sahel in the first half of 2024—a record toll. On June 1st, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched a deadly assault on a military base in Boulkessi, killing more than 30 Malian soldiers.

The recent arrests underscore the fragile state of Mali’s political and military institutions. With rising discontent among the armed forces, escalating jihadist violence, and the erosion of democratic norms, the country stands at a critical crossroads. Whether the junta can maintain its grip on power—or whether internal fractures will lead to further instability—remains uncertain.

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