UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed deep concern on Thursday over the reported summary executions of 25 individuals by the Mali army and “foreign military personnel” in the central Nara region, which is grappling with a persistent insurgency.
He also highlighted the loss of about 30 lives in attacks over the weekend in central Mali, known for heightened violence. Turk was appalled by credible allegations of summary executions in Welingara village on January 26.
Additionally, he pointed out that approximately 30 civilians were killed in attacks by unidentified gunmen on two other villages – Ogota and Oimbe – in the Bandiagara region over the past weekend.
Gathering and verifying information in Mali is challenging due to its extensive geography, deteriorating communications infrastructure, and ongoing security concerns.
The escalation of violence in Mali, starting in 2012 in the north and spreading to the central regions in 2015, has created a volatile situation. The establishment of Katiba Macina, an Al Qaeda-affiliated group led by Fulani preacher Amadou Kouffa, marked a significant turning point.
Mali, governed by a junta since 2020, shifted alliances away from France to align with Russia politically and militarily. Despite denials, there are widespread claims that the junta has enlisted Russian mercenaries.
Accusations of human rights abuses against civilians are not new, with the UN and local sources regularly pointing fingers at the Malian army and its allies. UN investigators implicated Malian troops and presumed foreign forces, including Wagner, in the massacre of at least 500 people in Moura in March 2022.
Despite multiple investigations launched in Mali into military abuses, none have yielded successful outcomes to date, raising concerns about the lack of accountability. The UN rights chief stressed the essential need for impartial investigations, holding those responsible accountable, and emphasizing trials that observe international standards.
