Mali’s transitional government has announced that its security and intelligence services thwarted an attempt to destabilise the country, involving both military and civilian actors with backing from foreign parties.
According to a statement broadcast on state television, those arrested include two army officers — Abbas Dembele and Niema Sagara — as well as French citizen Yann Christian Bernard Vizelier, whom the authorities accuse of working for French intelligence.
The statement said the arrests took place on August 1 and involved around 55 soldiers, most of them from the National Guard. Investigations are ongoing to identify other suspects.
The government assured that the situation is under control, urging the population to remain calm and vigilant.
Context: Since 2020, Mali has experienced a series of military coups that brought a transitional government led by army officers to power. The country also faces persistent insecurity from jihadist armed groups operating in the north and centre, as well as diplomatic tensions with several Western partners, particularly France.
