Malian Minister Claims Situation is Under Control Following Foiled Attempt to Destabilize the Republic
In a recent development, Malian authorities have arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian army generals and a suspected French secret agent, accused of attempting to destabilize the country. The arrests were announced by Mali’s security minister, General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, on Thursday evening, following days of rumors about the detainment of Malian military officials.
According to the minister, the situation is now under control, with the transitional government announcing the arrest of a small group of marginal elements from the Malian armed and security forces. These individuals were accused of criminal offenses aimed at destabilizing the institutions of the republic. The conspiracy, which started on August 1, was foiled with the arrests of those involved.
Mali’s military statement also revealed that these soldiers and civilians had obtained help from foreign states. A French national, identified as Yann Christian Bernard Vezilier, has been held on suspicion of working on behalf of the French intelligence service. The security minister further stated that the Frenchman was mobilizing political leaders, civil society actors, and military personnel in Mali. Images shared on social media featured the alleged French spying suspect as a white man in his 50s wearing a white shirt and appearing somewhat alarmed. National television also broadcasted photos of 11 alleged members of the group that planned the coup.
The security minister identified two Malian generals, General Abass Dembele and General Nema Sagara, as part of the plot. General Dembele is a former governor of the central Mopti region, who was dismissed in May when he demanded an investigation into allegations of civil casualties at the hands of the Malian army. General Sagara had previously been praised for her role in combating rebel groups in 2012. Security sources have reported the arrest of at least 55 soldiers and authorities are working to identify potential accomplices.
Since 2012, Mali has been experiencing a severe security crisis primarily fueled by violence from armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIL, along with local criminal gangs. In recent years, the country’s military rulers, led by President Assimi Goita, have distanced themselves from Western partners, including former colonial power France, and aligned themselves politically and militarily with Russia in the name of national sovereignty. In June, Goita was granted an additional five years in power, despite the military’s earlier promises of a return to civilian rule by March 2024.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/15/malis-military-arrests-generals-suspected-french-agent-in-overthrow-plot?traffic_source=rss
