Mali’s military authorities have announced an investigation into allegations that soldiers killed at least 24 civilians earlier this week, following accusations made by separatist Tuareg rebels. This marks a rare inquiry into alleged human rights violations since the military took power in a 2020 coup.
The allegations were brought forward by the Front for the Liberation of Azawad, a prominent Tuareg independence movement in northern Mali. The group claimed that Malian soldiers, accompanied by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group, intercepted two civilian transport vehicles traveling from Gao to Algeria on Monday. They alleged that at least 24 passengers were “coldly executed” during the incident, raising serious concerns about civilian safety in the volatile region.
The Malian armed forces’ general staff responded on Wednesday without directly addressing the alleged killings. Instead, they denounced what they described as “intoxicating campaigns” aimed at discrediting the army’s image amid ongoing security operations in the north.
Despite the denial, pressure mounted on the authorities, leading to Friday’s announcement of an investigation into the civilian deaths. This rare step toward accountability comes amid growing scrutiny of military conduct, particularly in operations involving foreign mercenaries linked to human rights abuses.
Mali has faced political and security turmoil for more than a decade, fueled by armed insurgencies and social unrest. In 2020, military officers capitalized on public anger over relentless attacks by armed groups, seizing power in a coup that ousted the democratically elected president. The military takeover significantly shifted Mali’s political dynamics, leading to international condemnation and challenges in stabilizing the nation.
The investigation’s outcome could prove crucial for the military-led government’s credibility, both domestically and internationally, as calls for justice and transparency grow louder.