"Alleged Atrocities: Wagner Group and Mali's Army Accused of Disappearing and Executing Civilians"

Malian soldiers and members of the Russia-linked Wagner Group have been implicated in extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, and other human rights abuses against civilians in central Mali since December 2022, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. Witnesses described foreign, non-French-speaking armed men, identified as "white," "Russians," or "Wagner," participating in the attacks. The U.S.-backed Malian military, which has received billions of dollars in military assistance, has also been accused of torture and looting. The report highlights the failure of the Malian authorities to hold those responsible accountable and calls for a broader approach to engagement with conflict-affected countries like Mali.