Mali army, Russian paramilitaries committed 'war crimes': Amnesty
Summary
Amnesty International says Mali’s armed forces and Russian paramilitaries from the Wagner group committed war crimes, including murder and torture of civilians, during joint operations. The report documents at least 34 civilian deaths across central and northern Mali and alleges abuse at military bases and during patrols.
Key Points
- Amnesty International says Mali’s army and the Wagner group committed war crimes during joint operations against jihadists.
- The report documents at least 34 civilian deaths in Segou, Mopti and Timbuktu between June 2023 and December 2025.
- Witnesses described torture and ill-treatment of detainees at the Lere and Nampala military bases, with five deaths linked to torture or poor conditions.
- The victims were mostly from Fulani, Arab and Tuareg communities, and civil society groups have taken the case to the African Union’s human rights court.
