Mali army and allied militias accused of civilian massacres in central region

In the heart of central Mali, a grim pattern of violence has resurfaced, with the Malian Armed Forces and allied militias targeting civilians in two villages under the control of Islamist armed groups. Between October 2 and 13, at least 31 civilians were killed and numerous homes were set ablaze, according to multiple testimonies gathered from survivors and local leaders.

October violence leaves a trail of destruction in Ségou

On October 2, soldiers from the Malian Armed Forces and dozos militiamen—traditionally hunters from the Bambara ethnic group who have participated in counterinsurgency operations for over a decade—stormed the village of Kamona. Witnesses reported that the soldiers, arriving in seven pick-ups and three armored vehicles, along with dozos on motorcycles, conducted a brutal search operation. At least 21 men were executed, and 10 homes were torched. The village, located in a region under the influence of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), was already under the control of this Al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

Local residents recounted how the GSIM fighters had warned the villagers of the army’s arrival, prompting many to flee. Those who remained were rounded up and shot. « Those who couldn’t escape were gathered and executed, » one survivor recalled. The testimonies revealed a grim scene: 17 bodies were later found under a tree, with four more discovered to the north of the village. The victims, all men aged 20 to 65, were either shot in the abdomen or head, and their homes—belonging to the Fulani ethnic group—were deliberately burned.

A 40-year-old shepherd, who had hidden in an abandoned house with his 9-year-old daughter, described the aftermath: « The bodies were riddled with bullets. One man’s head was completely shattered. » Survivors buried the dead in two mass graves, fearing further reprisals.

Second attack mirrors pattern of brutality in Balle

Exactly 11 days later, the violence struck again. On October 13, soldiers in five pick-ups and dozos on 30 motorcycles entered the village of Balle, approximately 55 kilometers from Kamona. The village has been under GSIM control for years, with residents paying Islamic taxes and settling disputes through the group’s courts. « There are no soldiers, gendarmes, or police here, » a local explained. « The army assumes we are GSIM fighters because they make no distinction between us and them. »

The attack left 10 civilians dead, including a 55-year-old woman, and over 100 cattle were stolen. Survivors described how soldiers and dozos went door-to-door, assaulting men before executing them. « I hid and heard gunshots, » a 24-year-old man recounted. The bodies were found in a line, some with broken limbs, their faces unrecognizable. The woman’s daughter tearfully recalled how her mother, after confronting the soldiers, was dragged away and shot.

The Malian Armed Forces later claimed the operation was an « offensive reconnaissance » that « neutralized around twenty terrorists » and seized weapons. However, witnesses and residents vehemently denied the presence of any armed individuals in Balle at the time of the attack.

Pattern of impunity raises urgent questions

These atrocities follow a broader escalation in violence, with the GSIM tightening its siege around Bamako in early September, cutting off fuel supplies to the capital. The military junta responded by shutting down all schools and universities temporarily. Since 2012, Mali’s successive governments have waged war against Islamist armed groups, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and displacing over 402,000 people.

The Malian Armed Forces and their allied militias have been repeatedly accused of grave human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and destruction of property. The GSIM and other armed groups have also been documented committing war crimes. Under international humanitarian law, all parties to the conflict are prohibited from targeting civilians or committing murder, torture, and cruel treatment. Those responsible for war crimes, including those acting under command responsibility, may face prosecution.

Despite Mali’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, the country 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, tasked with promoting peace and security, has yet to take meaningful action beyond issuing statements expressing concern over the deteriorating situation.

Analysts warn that the cycle of violence is deepening, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. « The African Union Peace and Security Council must prioritize Mali, » urged a regional expert. « It should convene regular briefings, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and coordinate regional and international actions to ensure accountability for abuses by all parties. »