The Malian army announced that 203 terrorists were eliminated in the central region. Human Rights Watch, a non-governmental organization, reported that this military operation resulted in the execution of civilians, rape, and looting.
Reconquest of Malian army or the massacre of civilians for the sake of anti-jihadist fighting? Two opposing versions of events occurred in Moura at the middle of the country, at the end March. “L’Obs” takes stock of the facts.
Operation Malian Army, March 23-31 “Large scope”Moura, in the town. This community of many thousand people is located in central Mali. It is home to the Sahel’s main violence centers and a privileged area for Al Qaeda-affiliated groups.
The general staff released a press release on April 1 announcing the extermination of 203 jihadists. Outside 203 “terrorists”51 people were killed and 51 others captured. The Malian forces advanced. “systematic cleaning of the entire area”. They took control of Moura and carried out an a « tri »Recognized “terrorists”In a press release, he stated Tuesday evening that the army had found hidden information in the population. The army claimed military success despite mentioning deaths within its ranks.
Human Rights Watch and witnesses are however diametrically opposed to the NGO’s version. The NGO describes “Worst Episode of Atrocities”In ten years, a total of 58 civilian deaths were committed. It describes the execution by soldiers of 300 civilians, their rapes, and looting. “The vast majority of people”Fulani was one of the executed men, which is a group Fulani has largely recruited, according HRW.
In its press releases, the Malian general staff does not mention foreign soldiers. However, he announced that the operation involved five combat helicopters and transport helicopters of Soviet and Russian manufacture and design. He did not specify who was their pilot.
HWR speaks however of Malian soldiers being associated with foreigners (presumed Russians). France and the United States are concerned about reports of abuses perpetrated by Malian soldiers as well as members of Wagner militia.
Wagner’s use has been denied by the authorities. They also highlight the partnership with the Russian army that was established in the past. This relationship has been revived as the tensions between France, France, and their allies have risen. The staff addressed the new challenges on Tuesday evening. “unsubstantiated allegations”To “Tarnish the image”Army. He reiterated that respecting rights is important. “A priority in the conduct of operations”.
Malian military justice has announced Wednesday, April 6, the opening of investigations into recent events in Moura. Following the “allegations of alleged abuses committed against civilians (…), investigations have been opened by the national gendarmerie on instructions from the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs to carry out in-depth investigations in order to shed full light on these allegations”The prosecutor at Mopti Military Court, a large urbanity near Moura, released the following press release.
While the UN is calling for the opening of an independent investigation, its spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told the press in New York that the United Nations had opened an investigation and that experts from the UN Mission in Mali ( Minusma) were trying to get to the site ” As quickly as possible.
However, such a trip requires the approval of the Malian authorities. Due to the inaccessibility to remote and dangerous areas, independent checks are difficult. Witnesses are reluctant to talk openly.