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  • World - Africa
  • Updated: May 12, 2023

UN Accuses Malian Army, Foreign Fighters Of Executing 500 People In 2022

UN Accuses Malian Army, Foreign Fighters Of Executing 500 Pe

Marian Army.

The United Nations on Friday accused the Malian army and "foreign"' fighters of executing at least 500 people in March 2022 during an anti-jihadist operation in the centre of the country, in a damning report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The report, which was compiled from an investigation by the human rights division of the peacekeeping mission stationed in Mali since 2013 (Minusma), stated that the Office of the High Commissioner "has reasonable grounds to believe" that at least 500 people, including about 20 women and seven children, were "executed by the Malian Armed Forces and foreign military personnel (...) after the area (had) been subdued" between March 27 and 31, 2022 in Moura.

Additionally, there are "reasonable grounds to believe" that 58 women and girls were victims of rape and other types of sexual violence, according to the OHCHR. It details torture committed by prisoners who were detained.

According to Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, these actions may be considered crimes against humanity and war crimes, "depending on the circumstances."

The term "foreigners" is not mentioned in the investigation. However, it brings to mind official Malian remarks about Russian "instructors" helping in the war against jihadists as well as statements ascribed to Sergei Lavrov, the director of Russian Diplomacy, about the presence of the private Russian security firm Wagner in Mali.

According to information acquired by the U.N.'s investigators, these foreigners were described as being white males wearing fatigues and speaking an "unknown" language.

The events in Moura, which have been the subject of different accounts for the past year, are described in the report as being among the worst of their kind in a nation that has witnessed atrocities committed by jihadists and other armed organizations since 2012.

The investigation is the most damning evidence yet presented against the Malian military, who have already been charged with numerous crimes.

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