A separatist group has accused the Malian military and Russian mercenaries of executing 24 civilians, prompting the government to launch an investigation into these serious allegations amidst ongoing conflicts in the region.
Mali's Military to Probe Allegations of Civilians Executed by Soldiers
Mali's Military to Probe Allegations of Civilians Executed by Soldiers
Investigations launched into claims of executions by Malian forces after reports of civilian deaths in the northern region.
Mali's military government has announced it will investigate grave allegations stating that soldiers executed at least 24 civilians in the northern region on Monday. The claims were made by the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), a separatist Tuareg rebel group engaged in conflict with the Malian government. The FLA accused Malian troops and Wagner mercenaries of halting two passenger vehicles en route to Algeria from Gao and subsequently killing the civilians aboard, including women and children.
General Oumar Diarra, the army chief, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and branded them as narratives spread by "terrorist networks, allies, and sponsors." For several years, the Malian government has faced ongoing opposition from Tuareg rebels pushing for independence and jihadist organizations linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Following military coups in 2020 and 2021, the government has sought assistance from Russian mercenaries to bolster security efforts. Numerous human rights organizations have accused both the Malian government forces and Russian soldiers of committing egregious human rights violations against civilians, accusations they have consistently denied.
In a significant political shift last month, Mali, alongside Burkina Faso and Niger, withdrew from the West African regional bloc Ecowas after rejecting demands to transition back to civilian governance. This step marked a considerable setback for Ecowas, which is regarded as Africa's most influential regional organization.
Additionally, Mali's military leaders have severed ties with France, its former colonial power, resulting in the departure of French troops from the country after a decade-long campaign against Islamist militants. In a further declaration of sovereignty, UN peacekeepers exited under orders of the junta in the following year.
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