By Esther Ososanya
Mali’s military authorities have arrested at least 45 soldiers, including two generals, over the weekend for allegedly attempting to “destabilise the institutions” of the Sahel nation.
Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a former governor of the central Mopti region and a respected figure within army ranks. He was arrested early Sunday on the outskirts of Bamako, according to a source close to him. Brigadier General Nema Sagara, one of the few women to hold a senior command in Mali’s armed forces, was also taken into custody.
“All are soldiers. Their objective was to overthrow the junta,” a Malian lawmaker told reporters.
The arrests come amid ongoing unrest in Mali’s political sphere. After eight years of relative stability, soldiers ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, following mass protests over his handling of Islamist insurgencies in the north. The junta, promising swift reforms, soon fractured internally, prompting a second coup in May 2021 that brought Colonel Assimi Goïta to power.
Security Crisis Deepens
Goïta’s government pledged elections within 18 months, but the vote has been delayed to 2027. Meanwhile, jihadist violence has surged. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (ACLED) recorded 7,620 deaths from Islamist attacks in the Sahel in the first half of 2024 alone. On June 1, JNIM militants killed more than 30 Malian soldiers in an assault on a military base in Boulkessi.
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In response to mounting challenges, the junta has tightened political controls. In May, Goïta dissolved all political parties and organisations, prompting nationwide demonstrations.
Critics accuse the government of using security threats as a pretext to suppress dissent.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
