Investigation Launched into Allegations of Civilian Killings by Malian Soldiers

Mali’s military has announced an investigation into allegations that its soldiers, alongside Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, killed at least 24 civilians earlier this week. This marks a rare inquiry into human rights abuses since the military assumed power in 2020.

The Tuareg separatist movement, known as the Front for the Liberation of Azawad, accused the soldiers of intercepting two civilian vehicles traveling from Gao to Algeria on Monday and executing the passengers in cold blood.

In a statement on Wednesday, the general staff of the Malian armed forces condemned what they called “intoxicating campaigns” against the military, without directly addressing the specific allegations of civilian deaths. However, on Friday, authorities confirmed the opening of an investigation into the incident.

Analysts express skepticism about the investigation’s potential outcomes. Rida Lyammouri, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan think tank, noted, “The objective of the investigations is going to be more about countering the allegations against the army and Wagner than seeking accountability. The conclusion is likely to declare those allegations false.”

Mali has been grappling with a humanitarian crisis for over a decade. In 2020, a military coup, fueled by public discontent over escalating violence from armed groups, ousted the democratically elected president, leading to ongoing instability in the region.