Malian soldiers associated with foreign fighters believed to be Russian summarily executed 300 civilians, some of whom they suspected of being jihadists, in late March, in a locality in the center of the country, Human Rights Watch said.
In a report published on Tuesday, the NGO describes a massacre perpetrated over several days between March 27 and 31 in the locality of Moura, between Mopti and Djenné, in a region which is one of the main centers of Sahelian violence.
Faced with the proliferation of testimonies reported by the press, the Malian general staff spoke Tuesday evening in a press release of “unfounded allegations” aimed at “tarnishing the image” of the armed forces.
Without referring specifically to HRW, he repeated that respect for rights was “a priority in the conduct [des] operations” and called for “restraint against defamatory speculation”.
The authorities, dominated by the military who took power by force in 2020, had already given their version of events on Friday, speaking of an operation which had made it possible to kill 203 members of “armed terrorist groups” and to arrest some. 51 others.
But the UN Mission in Mali, the United States, the European Union and France have expressed concern over reports from Moura.
The events in Moura are “the worst episode of atrocities” committed since the unleashing of violence in Mali in 2012, says HRW, which cites 27 people informed of the events, including 19 survivors and witnesses.
“The Malian government must urgently and impartially open an investigation into these mass killings, including the role of foreign soldiers,” said Corinne Dufka, Sahel director at HRW. For the credibility of these investigations, the authorities must be assisted by the African Union and the United Nations, she believes.
The Moura events began on March 27 with the arrival of soldiers in helicopters in the middle of the cattle market, says HRW. The soldiers then allegedly exchanged fire with about thirty armed Islamists who were in the crowd; several Islamists, a few civilians and two foreign soldiers were reportedly killed.
Moura is described as a locality that has come under the control of groups affiliated with al-Qaeda, like many others in Mali.
With reinforcements transported by helicopters, Malian and foreign soldiers took control of Moura, relate the witnesses quoted by HRW.
White-skinned foreigners are assimilated to Russians because they do not speak French and there has been much talk in the media, including from the authorities, of the arrival of Russian soldiers in recent months to help fight the jihadists.
The soldiers reportedly combed the town, “executing” a number of people and capturing hundreds of others. In the following days, they allegedly shot and executed dozens of captives in small groups, perhaps based on their dress or because they wore beards according to rules laid down by the jihadists, or because of their ethnicity. .
“The vast majority” of the men, executed by both Malian soldiers and white soldiers, were Fulani, a group from which the jihadists have largely recruited, HRW says.
“Deliberately killing or ill-treating an individual in custody is a war crime,” says HRW.
Civilians were forced to dig mass graves before being executed, according to HRW. Some remains were burned beyond recognition, HRW added.
In the press release published Tuesday evening, the staff indicates that the army attacked a group of “terrorists” to which violent combats opposed it. Once control of Moura was assured, the soldiers “tried” and identified the “terrorists” hidden in the population, he said.
The staff is content to mention deaths in the ranks of the army without further details. It makes no mention of foreign soldiers. He reports, however, that the operation engaged four special forces groups, three Mi-17 transport helicopters (of Soviet design) and two Mi-35 combat helicopters (of Russian manufacture), as well as surveillance drones.