Bamako: United Nations human rights experts have urged Malian authorities to swiftly and transparently investigate reports of mass executions and enforced disappearances after the discovery of numerous bodies near a military facility earlier this month.
According to a statement released on Wednesday, the experts voiced strong concern following the uncovering of "several dozen decomposing bodies" near the Kwala military camp in Mali’s Koulikoro region. They warned that if these killings are verified, they could constitute war crimes, while the disappearances may amount to crimes against humanity.
The experts called for a “prompt, effective, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent” investigation in line with international legal standards.
Information shared by the Fulani cultural association Tabital Pulaaku, cited by Reuters, suggests that the victims may have been among more than 60 individuals, mostly ethnic Fulani, detained by the Malian army on April 12 during an operation in Sebabougou, a village in the western Kayes region. While some detainees were reportedly released, many remain unaccounted for.
The U.N. experts referred to reports indicating that some of those detained were taken to the Kwala military camp, where they were allegedly tortured and executed.
Since coming to power through military coups in 2020 and 2021, Mali's transitional government has distanced itself from Western allies, opting instead for military support from Russia, including personnel from the Wagner Group.
In a statement issued Monday, Mali’s armed forces claimed to have conducted counter-terrorism operations between April 11 and 15 in Sebabougou, Kwala, and other locations, targeting what they described as “terrorist armed groups.”
