Mali arrests Frenchman Yann Vezilier, accused of spying for France.
Bamako, Mali – August 15, 2025 – Mali’s junta has announced the arrest of a French national accused of spying for Paris and plotting to destabilise the country.
The man, identified as Yann Vezilier, was paraded on state TV on Thursday night. Mali’s Security Minister Gen Daoud Aly Mohammedine claimed Vezilier was working “on behalf of the French intelligence service” and had links to civilians, army officers, and political figures opposed to the government.
France, Mali’s former colonial power, is yet to respond to the accusations.
Authorities also confirmed the arrest of several senior army officers, including Gen Abass Dembele, the ex-governor of Mopti, who was recently dismissed. In total, at least 55 soldiers have been detained over the alleged coup plot.
Gen Mohammedine insisted the situation was “fully under control” and investigations were continuing to uncover other accomplices.
The announcement comes amid a wave of political arrests. Ex-Prime Minister Moussa Mara, a vocal junta critic, has been in detention since August 1. Former PM Choguel Maïga also faces sanctions over accusations of state sabotage and embezzlement.
Earlier in May, the junta banned all political parties, citing threats to stability. Critics called the move a “death blow” to reconciliation efforts.
Leader Gen Asimi Goïta, who staged coups in 2020 and 2021, has postponed promised elections and instead extended Mali’s transition period by five years, allowing him to stay in power until at least 2030.
Despite forging military ties with Russia after cutting off France, security has not significantly improved, with jihadist attacks persisting across the Sahel.
