Since early 2025, Mali’s armed forces and their Russian-backed Wagner Group allies have carried out systematic executions and enforced disappearances targeting Fulani men across multiple regions. These operations, framed as counter-insurgency measures against Islamist armed groups, have left dozens dead and scores missing, according to verified accounts.

allegations of war crimes in central and western Mali

Human rights investigators have documented numerous incidents where Malian soldiers and Wagner mercenaries have summarily killed Fulani civilians and detained others without trace. The abuses follow a pattern of collective punishment, with entire communities targeted based on ethnic affiliation rather than individual suspicion of involvement with armed groups.

notable incidents documented

• Kobou village (Ségou region, January 23): Soldiers allegedly executed three Fulani men (ages 46, 65 and 75) and burned at least 30 homes. Bodies were found with blindfolds and bound hands.
• Farana village (Tombouctou region, March 26): Four Fulani men were beaten to death near a river; their relatives discovered bloodstains and human remains.
• Sebabougou village (Kayes region, April 12): Over 100 Fulani men were arrested and taken to a military camp. At least 65 bodies were later found in surrounding areas, while others remain missing.
• Belidanédji village (Ségou region, March 30): Six Fulani civilians (ages 35-63) were executed during a joint operation against Islamist fighters.
• Sikere village (May 14): Four Fulani men were shot dead after being accused of supporting Islamist militants.

international law violations and accountability

These actions violate international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, to which Mali is a state party. The UN has condemned the reported mass executions, while the International Criminal Court continues investigating war crimes in Mali since 2012.

Wagner group’s shifting presence

After Wagner’s announced withdrawal in June 2025, reports indicate its fighters are being replaced by Africa Corps, a Russian paramilitary group under direct Kremlin control. Both entities have been implicated in the documented abuses, raising concerns about continued impunity.

call for urgent action

Human rights organizations urge:

• The African Union to pressure Malian authorities to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.
• Mali’s transitional government to reveal detention sites and allow independent monitoring.
• International bodies to support accountability mechanisms given Mali’s withdrawal from ECOWAS and the 2023 exit of the UN peacekeeping mission.

“Senior Malian and Russian officials must recognize their potential liability for these crimes,” warned a senior researcher. “Whether through African Union pressure or ICC intervention, those responsible may face future prosecution.”