Ibrahima Dahirou Dembélé

Ibrahima Dahirou Dembélé is a Malian general who served as the Minister of Defense of Mali from May 5, 2019, to August 18, 2020.

Ibrahima Dahirou Dembélé
Dembélé on April 14, 2020
Minister of Defense of Mali
In office
May 5, 2019 – August 18, 2020
Preceded byTiémoko Sangaré
Succeeded bySadio Camara
Chief of Staff of the Malian Armed Forces
In office
March 28, 2012 – November 9, 2013
Preceded byGabriel Poudiougou
Succeeded byMahamane Touré
Personal details
Born (1967-01-09) January 9, 1967 (age 57)
Ségou, Mali
Alma materKati Military Academy
Koulikoro Joint Military School
Military service
RankGeneral

Biography

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Dembélé was born on January 9, 1967, in Ségou, Mali.[1] He graduated from the Kati Military Academy in 1981, and entered the Koulikoro Joint Military School in Koulikoro in 1998. Following his graduation from Koulikoro in 1991, he commanded several units in northern and central Mali.[1] Dembélé became the Malian chief of staff on March 28, 2012, after the 2012 Malian coup d'état, although he was dismissed by newly elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta in November 2013 and replaced by Mahamane Touré.[2] Dembélé was accused of "passive complicity" over the killing of 21 paratroopers from the 33rd Parachute Commando Regiment, and was relieved from judicial control in January 2018.[3][4] He was appointed on May 5, 2019, as Minister of Defense by the Boubou Cissé government.[1][3]

 
Malian generals Dembélé (left) and Keba Sangaré at the Bafo camp on September 8, 2019

Dembélé was arrested and sacked from his position during the 2020 Malian coup d'état.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Portrait du Général de Division Ibrahima Dahirou DEMBELE". archive.wikiwix.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  2. ^ "Mali : le chef de l'armée limogé". Europe 1 (in French). 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  3. ^ a b "Mali: le nouveau ministre de la Défense heurte les familles des "Bérets rouges"". RFI (in French). 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  4. ^ "Mali : ce qu'il faut retenir de la composition d'un gouvernement d'ouverture inédit - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  5. ^ "Liesse dans les rues de Bamako après le départ du président malien Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta" (in French). 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2024-09-25.