UN human rights experts have condemned the killing of at least ten people, including women and children, by Malian forces and Russian soldiers believed to be affiliated with the Wagner Group, during a military operation that took place in the Dioura area of Mopti region between 2 and 4 January 2025.
In a UN memorandum, the experts confirmed that the victims were traveling by four-wheel drive vehicle toward the Mbera refugee camp in Mauritania when they were intercepted by a joint force comprising Malian troops and Russian-speaking soldiers. Their bodies were later found burned near the town of Fatissouma, with some buried or thrown into a well—an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
The UN experts stated that these incidents may amount to serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, particularly the right to life enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They highlighted that among the victims were children, including an infant under two years old, which significantly aggravates the gravity of the incident and has triggered widespread international condemnation.
The memorandum also drew attention to deliberate efforts to destroy evidence, such as burning corpses, hiding them in pits, or burying them in holes filled with tree trunks—actions that demonstrate a clear intent to conceal the crime and obstruct any independent investigation. The experts described this behavior as a deliberate attempt to erase the truth and deprive the victims’ families of their right to know the fate of their loved ones.
The experts further pointed out previous reports indicating that Russian elements linked to the Wagner Group have been involved in military operations within Mali since 2022, with these operations marked by repeated human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and the forced displacement of civilians—none of which have resulted in serious accountability measures against those responsible.
The memo noted that the lack of transparency regarding the nature of agreements between the Malian government and the Russian side, along with the absence of disclosure about the mechanisms regulating the activities of Russian soldiers or mercenaries, constitutes a violation of international obligations that states are expected to uphold. It also expressed grave concern over the apparent impunity enjoyed by these forces and its impact on guarantees of justice and accountability.
The UN experts called on the Malian authorities to immediately launch an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident in accordance with international standards, particularly the Minnesota Protocol on Investigating Potentially Unlawful Death. They emphasized that any investigation must be prompt, thorough, and conducted under the supervision of an independent judicial authority, ensuring that the victims and their families obtain full access to justice and complete reparations.
They also urged the immediate cessation of the involvement of foreign military forces—whether regular or private—in military operations inside Mali without a clear legal basis. They stressed that the participation of such forces without accountability poses a genuine threat to human rights and the rule of law.
The experts expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of abuses in conflict zones across Mali, increasingly targeting civilians, especially women and children. They warned that the ongoing absence of justice and oversight mechanisms could worsen the humanitarian situation, increase civilian suffering, and plunge the country deeper into a cycle of violence and instability.
Finally, the experts reiterated that the Malian government must uphold its international obligations, take all necessary measures to protect civilians, ensure the rule of law, hold accountable those responsible for these violations, and make every effort to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.
