Mali’s military government is investigating claims that soldiers “coldly executed” at least 24 civilians in the northern region of the country on Monday, as reported by the separatist Tuareg rebel alliance known as the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), which is in conflict with the Malian government.

The FLA accused Malian forces and Wagner mercenaries of intercepting two passenger vehicles traveling to Algeria from the Malian city of Gao and killing, including women and children. The army chief, Gen Oumar Diarra, dismissed these allegations as “relayed by terrorist networks, allies and sponsors” and stated that they follow other “unfounded” claims against state forces.

For several years, the Malian government has been fighting against Tuareg rebels seeking an independent state in the north and jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. In 2020 and 2021, the military took power through coups and hired Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group to enhance security in the country.

Both government forces and the Russians have been accused by rights groups of committing grave human rights violations against civilians, allegations which are denied by both parties.

In the previous month, Mali became one of three countries with military rule to withdraw from the West African regional organization, Ecowas, after refusing to reinstate civilian rule as demanded by the organization. This withdrawal significantly weakened Ecowas, which is considered Africa’s most influential regional group.

Mali’s military leaders also severed ties with France, the former colonial power, following the departure of French troops in 2022 after more than a decade of fighting Islamist insurgents.

The following year, all 12,000 UN peacekeepers were instructed by the junta to withdraw from Mali.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c04zlv32rdqo