Mali detains officers in crackdown on 'destabilisation'

MALTS junta has carried out arrests to quash an alleged plot to overthrow the government within the army’s ranks, sources said, but the circumstances of the detentions remain unexplained.

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The west African nation’s junta, which itself came to power in back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, has made 55 arrests, mainly among the National Guard, the military branch from which Defence Minister General Sadio Camara hails.

The military-backed government has yet to officially comment on the crackdown, which comes as the army is locked in fighting with jihadists and separatists.

The arrests, which began last week and continued into early Monday, were carried out by the junta following what a security and military source said were “destabilisation” attempts.

While Defence Minister Camara, a key figure within the ruling junta, has not been questioned, observers say several of those apprehended are believed to be officers close to him.

According to a Malian security source, civilians could also be questioned soon.