Top General, 19 other soldiers arrested in Mali over alleged coup plot

Malian authorities have taken nearly 20 soldiers into custody over what officials describe as an attempt to topple the country’s ruling junta, sources told AFP 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,” a Malian security source said.

Another military source confirmed the “attempt at destabilisation,” noting, “We have gone ahead with the necessary arrests.”

Among those apprehended is General Abass Dembele, a respected senior officer and former governor of the central Mopti region.

“Soldiers came early this morning (Sunday) to arrest General Abass Dembele in Kati. They have not told him why he was arrested,” a figure close to the officer said, referring to the garrison town near the capital Bamako.

Mali has faced persistent instability since 2012, with militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State carrying out attacks across the Sahel nation. The country also struggles with widespread criminal and sectarian violence, alongside a deepening economic crisis.