The picture from Tinzawatene… which went viral and which also became a book cover. A father is carrying his injured son after drone attacks by the Malian army and Wagner, in july 2024. In their fury about the loss of the battle of Tinzawatene, the Malian army and Wagner sent drones to kill children as well as a second drone attack to kill foreign mine workers in the area.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE MALIAN ARMY TARGETING MINORITIES
Written by :
Ibrahim Mohamed , London , UK
Human Rights advocate
General context:
Since 1963 , Mali has faced resistance and armed rebellions led by separatist armed Tuareg groups claiming self-government, alongside clashes with jihadist groups in the north. In this context, the Malian army carried out “Combat-Terrorism” operations, but these operations have often been characterized by serious violations of civilians’ rights, especially among the Tuaregs and Fulani.
Types of violations committed by the Malian army and Africa Corps (ex Wagner):
- Executions are beyond jurisdiction:
- Executed hundreds of civilians, especially from Tuareg and Fulani, without trial or even prosecution.
- Example: In March 2022, a massacre occurred in Moura village in Mopti region, where between 300 and 500 people were killed, mostly civilians, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.
- forced disappearances:
- Men from the northern villages, especially from the Tuaregs, are arrested and then transferred to military bases without informing their families, and without any criminal trail.
- Several cases have been recorded in Gao, Tinbuktu and Kidal districts.
- Torture and arbitrary arrest:
- The detainees are tortured during investigations to extract forced confessions.
- Arrests are often made without a warrant and without evidence.
- Looting and destroying civilians property:
- The military forces are burning Tuareg villages, looting livestock, and poisoning wells, under the guise of “disinfecting them of terrorists”.
- Many areas have seen mass evacuation and destruction of local infrastructure.
Why are the Tuaregs being targeted?
❗ Reasons:
- The army and some officials see the Tuaregs as linked to the separatist movements (like the Azawad Liberation Front, FLA).
- Historical marginalization by the central state for the people of the north.
- That said, it´s not only Tuaregs that compose the Azawadian population and the Peuhls, the Arabs (moors) and some other minorities are also targeted.
RESULTS:
- The crisis of trust between the state and the population intensifies.
- Mass migration to Niger, Algeria and Mauritania.
- Fostering feelings of oppression and discrimination.
- Authentic cases (a few examples)
History, place, reported violations
March 2022 Moura (Mopti) mass executions, involvement of foreign mercenaries (Wagner)
August 2023 N Tilet (Gao) Burning of Tawarqiya village, arrests without judicial warrants. - May 2024 Menaka raids and arrests targeting Tuareg youth.
- The International silence is disturbing.
- The Malian government refuses to open independent investigations or cooperation with legal entities.
- Military cooperation with Wagner’s Russian group committed violations.
- The role of the United Nations Mission (Minusma) withdrew after the withdrawal of the weakest protection for civilians.
Long term consequences:
- Possible radicalism among marginalized communities.
- Loss of confidence in state institutions.
- A repeated cycle of violence between rebellion and military repression.
Sources:
- Human Rights Watch
- Amnesty International Organization
- UN reports (before the withdrawal of mission)
- Local Testimonies (Radio France International RFI, France 24, Lemond Africa)
NOTE: The burning of civilian homes in Azawad. This is how it looks after Africa Corps (ex Wagner) and Fama pass through a village. And on the internet on their Telegram channels they openly brag about it while the lives of the civilian victims are shattered.
This is the reason why the Azawadians take up arms to defend their people, their rights and their freedom against these genocidal invaders.
Only through the freedom of Azawad there can be peace in this area.
Azawad Support Group
08-08-25