The transitional government in Mali announced that security and intelligence agencies foiled what they described as an attempt to destabilize the country planned by military and civilian actors with support from a foreign state. The government statement, read by the Minister of Security, named two army officers, Abbas Dembélé and Néma Sangaré, and a French citizen suspected of working for French intelligence. Malian authorities stated that the situation is under control and investigations are ongoing to identify all involved. The army announced the arrest of marginal elements from the Malian armed security forces accused of trying to destabilize the republic’s institutions. These soldiers and civilians allegedly received assistance from foreign countries. Security sources told AFP that at least 55 soldiers were arrested, mainly from the National Guard, a branch of the army from which Defense Minister Sadio Camara emerged, the main figure in the military council.

On Tuesday, former civilian Prime Minister Soumeylou Maïga was arrested in an investigation into embezzlement of public funds. Maïga, a prominent former figure in the military council, was appointed Prime Minister in 2021 before being dismissed at the end of last year after criticizing the generals for failing to fulfill their pledge to hand over power to civilians by March 2024.