UN Urges Mali to Investigate Alleged Executions by Military and Russian Mercenaries
The United Nations is calling on Mali’s transitional government to launch a thorough and transparent investigation into alarming reports of extrajudicial executions allegedly carried out by the Malian military in collaboration with Russian mercenaries.
The appeal comes after human rights monitors received credible accounts of mass killings in central Mali, where dozens of civilians are believed to have been unlawfully executed during joint military operations targeting suspected militants. Eyewitnesses and local sources suggest that many of the victims were unarmed and had no known ties to armed groups.
“We are deeply concerned by persistent allegations of serious human rights violations, including arbitrary killings and forced disappearances,” said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. “These acts, if confirmed, could constitute war crimes.”
The reported abuses are believed to involve Russian operatives affiliated with the Wagner Group—a private military company with increasing influence in the Sahel region. The group has been operating in Mali since the country’s military-led government cut ties with French forces and turned to Moscow for security assistance.
The UN’s call for accountability is part of broader international concern over Mali’s deteriorating human rights situation since the 2021 military coup. Despite pledges from the ruling junta to uphold the rule of law, watchdogs say violations have escalated, especially in conflict-prone areas.
Human rights organizations have urged Mali to allow independent investigators into the affected regions and to ensure that all those involved in potential violations—regardless of nationality or affiliation—are held accountable.
As of now, Mali’s authorities have denied wrongdoing and defended their operations as part of a legitimate anti-terrorism campaign. However, transparency advocates stress that failure to properly investigate the allegations could deepen Mali’s diplomatic isolation and further undermine its credibility on the global stage.
The UN also reiterated the need for stronger protections for civilians and more robust oversight of foreign military partnerships. The call reflects growing unease about the influence of Russian mercenary forces in Africa, particularly their role in conflicts where human rights violations have been widely reported.
As the situation develops, the international community is watching closely to see whether Mali will heed the UN’s demand for justice—or continue down a path of impunity.
Source : Swifteradio.com
