Mali's military government has announced the arrest of a French citizen accused of working as a spy in a plot to destabilise the country.

The man, identified as Yann Vezilier, is alleged to have been operating on behalf of French intelligence, according to a statement read on national television late Thursday by Security Minister Gen Daoud Aly Mohammedine.

The announcement comes amid heightened political tension in the country, with the military accusing both internal and external actors of attempting to undermine its authority.

During the broadcast, the minister claimed that Vezilier was part of a broader conspiracy involving foreign governments, civilians, political figures, and members of the Malian armed forces.

“The conspiracy has been foiled with the arrests of those involved,” said Gen Mohammedine, who added that investigations were ongoing to identify any other accomplices. He assured the public that “the situation is completely under control.”

Vezilier, whose image was shown during the address alongside photos of senior military officers recently detained for allegedly plotting a coup, has not responded publicly to the accusations.

France, the former colonial power in Mali, has also not issued a statement regarding the arrest or the claims of interference.

Gen Mohammedine further revealed that the French national was part of an effort to mobilise “political leaders, civil society actors and military personnel” within Mali to destabilise the current administration.

The minister confirmed that two high-ranking military officers, including Gen Abass Dembele, the former governor of the Mopti region, were among those arrested. Dembele was recently removed from his post.

Security sources cited by AFP said at least 55 soldiers have so far been detained in connection with the suspected coup plot.

The arrests follow days of speculation over possible unrest within the army and broader dissatisfaction with the junta’s leadership.

Tensions have been rising in Mali over recent weeks, fuelled by the arrests of several prominent political figures.

Among them are former Prime Ministers Moussa Mara and Choguel Maïga, who are being held on charges related to state defamation and corruption. Mara, who has criticised the military leadership in recent months, has been in custody since August 1, while Maïga faces legal action.

The government has taken a hard stance against political dissent. In May, all political parties were dissolved by decree following rare demonstrations criticising the junta’s rule.

Mara described that move as a serious setback to national reconciliation efforts launched by the military last year.

General Asimi Goïta, who first seized power in 2020 and again in 2021, had promised to return the country to civilian rule.

However, elections have yet to be held, and in July, the military extended the transition period by five more years. This clears the way for Goïta to stay in power until at least 2030.

Mali, which continues to battle insecurity from jihadist groups since 2012, has moved away from its previous cooperation with France and is now aligned with Russian partners alongside Burkina Faso and Niger.

However, despite the shift in alliances, there has been little improvement in the security situation on the ground.