Malian armed forces have been accused of kidnapping and killing approximately two dozen Fulani civilians, who were detained at a livestock market in central Mali, according to a local activist.
The incident, which took place in Diafarabe, a town along the Niger River, has sparked public outrage. Women in the area organized a rare protest on Wednesday, demanding justice for those taken.
A survivor, who managed to escape, reported to the activist that the victims were executed, some had their throats slit, and their bodies were dumped in a mass grave. The activist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, is affiliated with Tabital Pulaaku, an organization advocating for the Fulani community.
The massacre occurred on Monday, when the men were reportedly transported by canoe to a nearby island cemetery, where they were killed.
Mali’s armed forces have not yet responded to requests for comment. The military, which is supported by Russian mercenaries known as the Africa Corps (formerly Wagner), also did not respond.
Human Rights Watch has accused both the Malian military and the mercenaries of committing atrocities and abuses against civilians. In recent months, the United Nations called for an investigation into the discovery of decomposed bodies near a military camp in the southwestern Koulikoro region.
The current military government, which seized power in 2020 and 2021, has expelled French and other Western forces, seeking support from Russia. The junta is facing increasing public dissatisfaction due to delays in elections and a crackdown on political freedoms. Recently, hundreds of people gathered to demand multi-party elections, chanting slogans like “Down with dictatorship, long live democracy,” in response to recommendations for a five-year extension of the junta’s rule and the dissolution of political parties.