Massacres in Mali: Army and Dozos accused of killing 31 civilians in Ségou

Nairobi – The Malian army, alongside allied militias, stands accused of massacring at least 31 civilians and torching homes in two villages in the conflict-stricken Ségou region on October 2 and 13, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.

On October 2, Malian forces and Dozos militias—traditionally composed of individuals from the Bambara ethnic group—allegedly killed 21 men and burned down at least 10 homes in Kamona. Witnesses claim the attackers executed civilians after accusing them of collaborating with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked faction controlling the area. The victims, aged between 20 and 65, were reportedly rounded up and shot in cold blood.

By October 13, another attack in the nearby village of Balle, 55 kilometers away, resulted in the deaths of nine men and one woman. Survivors described soldiers and Dozos militants conducting door-to-door searches, beating and kicking men before executing them. Over 100 cattle were also looted during the assault. The victims, aged 22 to 67, were found with gunshot wounds to the head and abdomen. A 55-year-old woman was reportedly shot after confronting the soldiers about their treatment of villagers.

Witness testimonies and community leaders confirmed the attackers’ identities: Malian soldiers in camouflage uniforms and Dozos militants in traditional attire with protective amulets around their necks. Local residents noted that GSIM fighters had warned villagers of the impending attack, prompting many to flee before the assault began. No clashes between the army and militants were reported prior to the killings.

« These October massacres in Ségou are just the latest atrocities linked to the Malian army and its allied militias, » said Ilaria Allegrozzi, Senior Sahel Researcher at Human Rights Watch. « The Malian authorities must conduct a credible, impartial investigation and hold those responsible to account through fair trials. »

Human Rights Watch interviewed 10 individuals, including five witnesses and five community leaders, activists, and journalists, via phone in October. A formal letter outlining the findings was sent to Mali’s Ministers of Justice and Defense on November 8, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

Escalating violence in Mali’s central conflict zone

The attacks occurred amid rising tensions in the Ségou region, where GSIM has intensified operations, including an assault on the Siribala sugar factory in August. Villagers in Kamona reported finding 17 bodies under a tree and four more bodies north of the village. Homes belonging to the Fulani ethnic group were set ablaze, with survivors describing the victims as « riddled with bullets » and some with « shattered skulls. »

In Balle, where GSIM has maintained control for years, residents stated they paid zakat (Islamic tax) to the group and settled disputes through its courts, as government forces were absent. « The army doesn’t distinguish between us and GSIM fighters, » a local noted. « They assume we’re all militants. »

Since 2012, Mali’s ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced over 402,000 people. Human Rights Watch has documented grave abuses by both state forces and armed groups, including summary executions, looting, and indiscriminate violence.

International law and accountability

All parties in Mali’s armed conflict are bound by international humanitarian law, including Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary war laws. These prohibit attacks on civilians, murder, cruel treatment, and torture. Perpetrators or commanders found responsible for such crimes may face prosecution for war crimes.

Though Mali withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, it remains a State Party to the Rome Statute until September 2026. The ICC opened an investigation into alleged war crimes in Mali in 2013.

The African Union (AU) has faced criticism for its limited response to the escalating crisis. Human Rights Watch urged the AU’s Peace and Security Council to prioritize Mali, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and coordinated regional action to ensure accountability for abuses by all parties.

« The AU must make Mali a priority, » Allegrozzi stressed. « Regular briefings, strengthened diplomacy, and coordinated international action are essential to address the widespread impunity. »