Mali’s military and armed groups committing abuses against civilians: HRW

Mali's Military and Africa Corps

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented a disturbing pattern of grave laws-of-war violations perpetrated by Mali's military and its Russian paramilitary allies, identified as the state-controlled Africa Corps. The report details instances where scores of civilians have been killed and wounded, both in direct attacks and while in custody. These actions are described as breaches of international humanitarian law, indicating a disregard for civilian life and protection. HRW's findings are based on interviews with various individuals, including witnesses and community leaders, providing a ground-level perspective on the abuses. The scale of these violations appears to be increasing, with a significant rise in air strikes by Malian forces and the Africa Corps resulting in civilian casualties compared to the previous year.

Specific incidents cited include two "apparently indiscriminate" drone attacks. One on July 29 in the Kidal region reportedly destroyed part of a health facility, while another on August 19 in the Bandiagara region, a market area, resulted in the deaths of six civilians and injuries to at least twenty others. Furthermore, during an operation against armed groups in the Segou region, Malian soldiers are accused of shooting and killing five girls. In another incident in the Mopti region, members of the military-allied Dozo militia allegedly killed three civilians. The report emphasizes that these actions have occurred with apparent impunity, suggesting a lack of accountability for those responsible.

Armed Groups

Opposition armed groups in Mali are also implicated in serious violations of the laws of war, according to the HRW report. These violations include the torture and execution of captured Malian soldiers. One particularly egregious incident occurred on July 18 in the Gao region, where fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and allied separatist fighters from the Azawad Liberation Front allegedly tortured and executed at least 19 Malian troops they had taken prisoner. While JNIM acknowledged that prisoners were killed, they denied ordering the deaths. The Azawad Liberation Front, for its part, acknowledged engaging in combat with the army and Russian forces but denied executing soldiers. These actions by armed groups contribute to the pervasive climate of violence and lawlessness in the country.

The report highlights the complex and multi-faceted nature of the conflict in Mali, which has been ongoing since 2012. The involvement of various armed factions, alongside state forces and foreign paramilitary groups, creates a volatile environment where civilian populations are frequently caught in the crossfire. The systematic nature of these abuses, whether by state-aligned forces or opposition groups, underscores a profound failure to uphold basic human rights and international legal standards.

International Response and Accountability

Human Rights Watch has urged the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to take "urgent action to prevent further atrocities" in Mali, indicating a perceived inadequacy in the current international response. The report suggests that international organizations and governments have largely stood by while these violations have occurred. HRW sent its findings and questions to Mali's defense minister on August 5 but had not received a response by the time of the report's release. This lack of official response from the Malian government, coupled with the alleged impunity for perpetrators, raises serious concerns about the prospects for justice and accountability.

The situation in Mali is exacerbated by the country's ongoing political instability, with a military government in power since coups in 2020 and 2021. This government has increasingly relied on Russian support, including the Africa Corps, to combat armed groups. The report's findings cast a shadow over this alliance and the broader international community's efforts to promote stability and human rights in the Sahel region. The call for AU action signifies a demand for more robust mechanisms to investigate abuses, protect civilians, and hold those responsible accountable, thereby potentially deterring future violations.