The Malian transitional authorities claim to have foiled a Coup d’Etat on the night of 11 to 12 May 2022. Seven officers and non-commissioned officers have already been charged in this regard. This attempted putsch, if confirmed, could be an illustration of disagreements within the FAMA (Malian Armed Forces)
“In an unhealthy attempt to break the dynamics of Mali’s refoundation, a small group of anti-progressive Malian officers and non-commissioned officers attempted a Coup d’Etat on the night of 11 to 12 May 2022,” said the statement, read out on state television by the government spokesman on the evening of Monday 16 May.
“The attempt was foiled thanks to the vigilance and professionalism of the defence and security forces,” he said, adding that those arrested would be brought to justice.
The news came as a surprise to many, as until Monday there had been no reports of a foiled coup in the country. The press release also gives almost no details about what actually happened. No names, no ranks, no army corps, no details of what these officers and non-commissioned officers did. It reports arrests without further details and specifies that controls have been reinforced at the exits of the capital Bamako and at the borders.
Officers and NCOs under arrest
Furthermore, ” the government of the Republic of Mali condemns with the utmost rigour this disgraceful attack on the security of the State, which aims to hinder, or even annihilate, the substantial efforts to secure our country and the return to a constitutional order, a guarantee of peace and stability “, the communiqué adds.
Thus, according to several sources, soldiers involved in the coup attempt have been arrested. And more arrests are reportedly still in progress. They are Colonel Amadou Keita, reputedly close to the junta (CNT), Baba Ahmed Ag Ahmeida (CMA), Second Lieutenant Moussa Kodio ABC (armoured weapons, cavalry), Captain Drissa Koné (infantry), Lieutenant Mohamed Samaké (infantry), Warrant Officer Sidiki Traoré (military security) and Staff Sergeant Amadou Diallo.
Western country
Furthermore, the Malian government’s communiqué states that “these soldiers were supported by a Western state”. Here too no state is named, but this kind of accusation is becoming common. And given the history between Bamako and the former coloniser, it is easy to understand what Assimi Goïta and his government mean.
Disagreements in the army?
At this pace in Bamako, it is safe to say that there are dissonant voices within the army. In any case, according to information reported by RFI, “according to several security sources, within the Malian army, and the judiciary, those arrested would have been denounced, especially for having expressed disagreements and a form of discontent: about the conduct of military operations in the field, and certain changes within the military hierarchy.
Thus, there are increasing questions about whether there really was a foiled coup d’état in Mali. Would this not be a pretext for a purge in the army?
As a reminder, Bamako has already been the victim of two successive coups in the space of a year. Another coup is suicidal for the country.
