Mali Army and Wagner Atrocities - Probe Needed, Urges HRW
The latest Human Rights Watch report accuses Malian armed forces and Wagner Group mercenaries of committing war crimes against civilians in central and northern Mali.
The report details executions, drone strikes on celebrations, and burials resulting in civilian casualties, and looting.
Mali's government denies the accusations and claims it is investigating human rights abuses. However, the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission and Mali's exit from a regional economic community raise concerns about independent investigations and accountability.
Human Rights Watch urges the UN to renew the mandate of its independent expert on human rights in Mali and for all parties to the conflict to respect international law.
InFocus
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The head of Niger's armed forces, Moussa Salaou Barmou, has announced the formation of a new anti-Jihadist force following a meeting with his counterparts from Mali and Burkina Faso. Islamist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have fueled violence in the region in recent years, which worsened after a series of coups in the three countries. The decision to launch a joint force is the latest sign of closer cooperation amongst the neighbours, who all severed military ties with
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The power struggle between President Vladimir Putin and the Wagner Group and its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin will likely have huge implications for Africa. Wagner mercenaries are active in several African countries, including Central African Republic and Mali.
In the Central African Republic, for example, 1,890 so-called "Russian instructors" are supporting government troops in the ongoing civil war, according to the Russian ambassador. The latest
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(file photo).
