On Thursday, Mali announced the arrest of a French citizen suspected of working for French intelligence agencies, accusing “foreign countries” of attempting to destabilize the country. The ruling military council, which came to power after two coups in 2020 and 2021, said it arrested dozens of soldiers recently, accusing them of trying to overthrow the government. The poor West African state has suffered security disturbances since 2012, fueled by violence from jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as local gangs.

An army statement broadcast on official television said “marginal elements of the Malian Armed Security Forces” were arrested for trying to “destabilize the institutions of the republic.” The statement accused “these soldiers and civilians” of receiving “assistance from foreign countries,” revealing that the French citizen was arrested on suspicion of working “for the French intelligence agency.” Security sources told AFP that at least 55 soldiers were arrested, noting that the government is working to identify “potential accomplices.” The military council confirmed the arrest of two generals, including Abbas Dembélé, a prominent figure in the army, as well as a former official recently dismissed from his position. Sources told AFP that the arrests were mainly carried out in the National Guard, a branch of the army from which Defense Minister Sadio Camara, the main figure in the military council, emerged.

Several observers noted that some detainees were close to Camara, but he has not been interrogated so far. On Tuesday, former civilian Prime Minister Soumeylou Maïga was arrested in an investigation into “embezzlement of public funds.” Maïga, a former prominent 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 not fulfilling their pledge to hand over power to civilians in March 2024. His arrest has not been linked to the arrests of soldiers accused of attempting to overthrow the government. The military council led by President Assimi Goïta has abandoned its Western partners, especially France, to politically and militarily ally with Russia.