Mali’s transitional president, General Assimi Goïta, has dismissed twelve senior military officers in connection with a thwarted coup attempt that occurred in August. The decision, formalized in a presidential decree dated October 7 and made public on Wednesday, underscores the mounting internal tensions within the country’s military leadership.
Among those removed from their posts are Brigadier Generals Abass Dembélé and Nema Sagara, along with several lieutenant colonels and captains. The dismissals are described as disciplinary actions tied to a “subversive act” that took place on August 1, 2025.
Major General Daoud Aly Mohammedine, Mali’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, had previously announced on national television that the coup plot was “successfully thwarted by specialized services.” Authorities say investigations are ongoing to uncover any additional collaborators.
In a notable twist, the decree also names a foreign national allegedly involved in the failed operation. French citizen Yann Christian Bernard Vizilier is accused of playing an “active role” in the plot an accusation that could further strain Mali’s already fragile diplomatic ties with France.
This latest purge is part of a broader pattern under Goïta’s leadership. In May 2024, six army lieutenants were expelled for allegedly aligning with the Azawad Liberation Front, a separatist group. These repeated purges reflect the junta’s continued efforts to assert control and maintain cohesion within the armed forces amid ongoing political instability and security challenges.
