Authorities in Mali have detained roughly 20 soldiers accused of plotting to unseat the country’s military leadership, which itself came to power through a coup. The arrests, carried out over the past three days, were confirmed by multiple security and military sources on Sunday.

A Malian security official told AFP that “at least around 20 arrests” have been made in connection with what authorities described as an attempt to “destabilize the institutions.” A separate source within the army confirmed the alleged plot, saying the situation was under control and that “necessary arrests” had been executed to protect the ruling administration.

Among those detained is General Abass Dembele, a prominent and well-regarded officer who previously served as governor of the central Mopti region.

According to a close associate, soldiers arrived early Sunday morning at Dembele’s residence in Kati, a garrison town near the capital Bamako, and took him into custody. The source said the general was not given any explanation for his arrest.

The detentions mark the latest twist in Mali’s turbulent political landscape, which has been plagued by successive coups, security threats, and economic decline for over a decade.

Since 2012, the West African nation has been engulfed in multiple crises from insurgencies by jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, to widespread criminal and communal violence. These challenges have severely strained governance, weakened state control over vast swathes of territory, and left the economy in deep distress.

The junta, which seized power in 2021 after overthrowing the civilian government, has faced both domestic discontent and international pressure over its handling of security and political reforms. The latest alleged coup plot underscores the fragility of Mali’s political order, where mistrust within the armed forces and persistent instability continue to cast a shadow over the country’s future.