Mali’s armed forces, with support from Russian mercenaries, have been accused of committing severe abuses against civilians following the withdrawal of a United Nations peacekeeping mission last year, according to a Human Rights Watch report released on Thursday.
The report alleges that Malian forces and the Russia-backed Wagner Group were involved in the deliberate killings of at least 32 civilians, including seven in a drone strike, and the kidnapping of four others. Additionally, over 100 homes were burned in central and northern Mali since May.
Human Rights Watch also reported atrocities by regional armed groups, which it claims executed at least 47 civilians, displaced thousands, and burned homes while looting livestock vital to nomadic communities.
“Malian forces, along with the Wagner Group and other armed groups, are targeting civilians and their property in blatant violation of the laws of war,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Mali has faced a decade-long insurgency involving armed groups. Following recent military coups, the ruling juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger expelled French forces and sought security assistance from Russia’s Wagner Group.
The Wagner Group, active in Mali since late 2021, replaced French troops and U.N. peacekeepers after a military coup. While initially brought in to combat militants, the group has faced accusations of participating in raids and drone strikes that have killed civilians.
In December 2023, Mali’s government requested the withdrawal of the U.N.’s MINUSMA peacekeeping mission, claiming it was ineffective against the insurgency.
“Since MINUSMA’s departure, obtaining comprehensive information on abuses has been challenging, and we fear the situation may be worse than reported,” Allegrozzi warned.
The report underscores growing concerns over escalating violence in Mali and the role of foreign mercenaries in the region’s ongoing conflict.