Malian armed forces, with support from Russian mercenaries linked to the Wagner Group, have been accused of serious human rights abuses against civilians following the withdrawal of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) released Thursday.
The report alleges that since May, Malian forces and Wagner fighters deliberately killed at least 32 civilians, including seven in a drone strike, kidnapped four individuals, and burned over 100 homes in central and northern Mali.
HRW also documented abuses by jihadi groups in the region, including the summary execution of at least 47 civilians, widespread displacement, the destruction of thousands of homes, and the looting of livestock vital to local communities.
“The Malian army, alongside Wagner Group forces, and Islamist armed groups have been violating the laws of war by targeting civilians and their property,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s senior Sahel researcher.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have grappled with a violent insurgency by jihadi groups aligned with al-Qaida and the Islamic State for over a decade. In recent years, military juntas in these nations have ousted French forces and sought assistance from Russian mercenaries for security.
Wagner forces entered Mali in late 2021 following a military coup, replacing French troops and U.N. peacekeepers. The group has since been implicated in deadly civilian raids and drone strikes.
The U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali, MINUSMA, ended in December 2022 at the Malian government’s request, citing its inability to address the insurgency. The HRW report highlights growing concerns over escalating violence in the absence of international oversight.
“Since MINUSMA’s withdrawal, it has been increasingly difficult to verify abuses, and the situation may be even graver than reported,” Allegrozzi warned.