Mali Arrests Dozens of Soldiers For ‘Planning to Topple Junta’

Dozens of soldiers have been arrested for allegedly planning to overthrow the country’s military government, according to media reports. The former governor of the Mopti region – and a respected military officer – General Abass Dembele is said to be among those arrested.

Mali has experienced two major coups in recent years, plunging the West African nation into political instability. Human Rights Watch has called on the military junta and its allied Russia-backed Wagner Group to end the executions of ethnic Fulani men in the country and make known the whereabouts of those they have detained since the beginning of the year.

Colonel Assimi Goita came to power after the 2021 coup. Under his rule, the junta has tightened its grip on power, dissolving political parties and extending Goita’s rule by five years, renewable without elections.