Mali's Military and Armed Groups Accused of Abuses Against Civilians, HRW Reports

A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) indicates that the Malian military, Russian-backed paramilitary forces, and opposition armed groups are committing grave violations of the laws of war against civilians in the West African nation. The report highlights that international organizations and governments have largely stood by. HRW urged the African Union's Peace and Security Council to "urgently take action to prevent further atrocities" in Mali.

Highlights

• HRW attributes civilian deaths and injuries to the Malian military and the Russia-controlled Africa Corps (formerly Wagner Group).
• Opposition armed groups are also accused of violating the laws of war by torturing and executing captured Malian soldiers.
• The report documents two "apparently indiscriminate" drone attacks carried out by the Malian military.
• Based on interviews with 30 people between late July and mid-September, the report indicates 89 civilian deaths in 49 airstrikes.

Details

HRW's report is based on 30 interviews conducted from late July to mid-September with witnesses, human rights defenders, community leaders, journalists, and a Malian soldier. According to the report, the Malian military and its ally, the Russia-controlled Africa Corps, have killed and wounded scores of civilians in attacks and in custody. Additionally, armed groups are alleged to have violated the laws of war by torturing and executing captured Malian soldiers.

The report documented two "apparently indiscriminate" drone attacks by the Malian military, one on July 29 in the Kidal region that hit a health facility, and another on August 19 in the Bandiagara region that struck a market, killing six civilians and wounding at least 20. Furthermore, it noted that five girls were killed by Malian soldiers in the Segou region, and three civilians were killed by the military-allied Dozo militia in the Mopti region, all with impunity.

HRW also cited an attack on a military convoy on July 18 in the Gao region by Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and allied separatist fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front. These groups are accused of torturing and executing at least 19 Malian troops they had taken prisoner. While JNIM acknowledged the deaths, they denied ordering them, and the Azawad Liberation Front denied executing soldiers.

Why it matters

This report sheds light on the grave dangers civilians face and the violations of international law in Mali's ongoing conflicts since 2012. The presence of the Wagner Group (now Africa Corps) following the military government's turn to Russia for support after the 2020 and 2021 coups is alleged to have contributed to an increase in civilian casualties. The report underscores the need for the international community to play a more active role in addressing these violations.