Factcheck: No Evidence of French DGSE-Backed Coup in Mali

French DGSE in a Helicopter (image source)

A dramatic claim is making the rounds on X and Facebook: that Mali’s intelligence and special forces have foiled a French DGSE-backed coup and assassination plot against transitional president Assimi Goïta and his allies. The story is gripping, but the evidence behind it is lacking.

Online reviews of major international wires and trusted Africa desks have found no contemporaneous reporting to substantiate the allegation. There are no Reuters, AP, AFP, or BBC write-ups; no Malian government communiqué naming alleged plotters, dates, or arrests; and no French statement, denial, or investigation note. In other words, there is no credible evidence that such an event has occurred — which is what one would expect for something as dramatic as a coup.

Mali’s turbulent recent history includes two coups in 2020 and 2021, and a documented assassination attempt on President Goïta in July 2021, when he was attacked with a knife during Eid prayers in Bamako. In May 2022, the junta claimed it had thwarted a “Western-backed” counter-coup led by army officers. These incidents are verified by reputable outlets and official statements from the time. However, none of these past events prove — or even suggest — a fresh DGSE plot in August 2025. They simply illustrate Mali’s instability and its reasons for heightened security measures.

The current wave of claims appears to stem from social media accounts that often promote sensational, anti-French narratives about the Sahel. Posts are rich in slogans and patriotic imagery but sparse on dates, names, or documentary evidence. Some reuse old footage or generic “breaking” banners. None have provided a Malian government press release, a military spokesperson’s statement, or prosecutorial documents. In West Africa, when coups or attempted coups happen, governments typically announce arrests, identify military units, and display recovered weapons on state television. None of these hallmarks have been observed in this case.

Meanwhile, credible outlets covering Mali are focused on verifiable developments, such as the detention and charging of former Prime Minister Moussa Mara over a social media post criticizing the shrinking democratic space. This underscores how quickly fabricated drama can overshadow the ongoing realities of military rule, human rights restrictions, and economic hardship.

Publishing credible news is vital, especially when coup rumors can trigger panic, capital flight, and be weaponised by disinformation operations — both foreign and domestic. With Mali’s break from Paris, the presence of Russian contractors, and the formation of the Confederation of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Niger, tensions are already high without unfounded stories inflaming the situation. Responsible journalism demands verification before amplification.