BREAKING: Mali Junta Detains Two Generals, French National Over Alleged Coup Attempt

Mali’s ruling military junta has confirmed the arrest of two senior army officers and a French citizen in connection with what authorities describe as a foiled plot to overthrow President Assimi Goita’s transitional government.

The announcement, made late Thursday on national television, signals a sharp escalation in the country’s internal political tensions and its already strained relationship with former colonial power France.

Malian Security Minister Gen. Da Aly Mohammedine revealed that security forces apprehended two high-ranking officers—Abass Dembele, a former governor of the Mopti region, and Nema Sagara—along with “marginal elements” from within the armed forces and several civilians.

Authorities allege that Yann Christian Bernard Vezilier, the French national in custody, acted on behalf of France’s intelligence services to help coordinate the failed coup. Government officials further claimed the suspects received backing from “foreign states” as part of an ongoing effort to destabilize Mali and undermine its pivot away from French influence. State media aired footage of the detained generals and Vezilier under guard.

France has yet to issue a response to the allegations, and independent confirmation of the government’s claims remains limited. Observers point out that these accusations come amid an intensified crackdown on dissent, with the junta recently extending its rule and dissolving political parties, deepening friction with opposition forces and international partners.

The development unfolds against the backdrop of Mali’s long-running security crisis, now in its 13th year, with persistent jihadist attacks and worsening governance challenges. Critics warn that the government’s emphasis on rooting out alleged coup plotters—whether genuine or perceived—risks further eroding public confidence in the transitional process.

Officials insist the situation “is under control,” though analysts and diplomatic circles remain on alert for potential political and diplomatic repercussions.