Mali arrests two generals, Frenchman in alleged coup plot

Mali’s military rulers said on Thursday they had arrested a group of military personnel and civilians, including two Malian generals and a suspected French agent, accused of attempting to destabilise the country.

The announcement followed rumours in recent days of arrests of Malian army officers and was made by Mali’s security minister General Daoud Aly Mohammedine on the evening news on the local media. He assured the audience that a full investigation was underway and that “the situation is completely under control”.

The military provided few details about the alleged coup plotters, what it entailed and the French national implicated in it, beyond identifying the man as Yann Vezilier.

The security minister said the Frenchman acted “on behalf of the French intelligence service, which mobilised political leaders, civil society actors and military personnel” in Mali.

There was no immediate word from France, Mali’s former colonial ruler, on the man’s arrest. — AfricaNews/AP