Massacres by malian forces and allied militias in central region

Civilian killings and arson in Mali’s conflict-ridden Ségou region

The Malian army, alongside allied dozos militias, stands accused of executing at least 31 civilians and torching homes during raids in two villages on October 2 and 13. The attacks occurred in Kamona and Balle, both located in the violence-stricken central region of Ségou, a hotspot for clashes involving the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked faction.

October 2: Kamona massacre leaves 21 dead

On the morning of October 2, soldiers in seven pick-ups and three armored vehicles, accompanied by dozos on motorcycles, stormed Kamona. Witnesses reported that the army and militias accused local men of collaborating with the GSIM, a claim denied by villagers. Residents fled in panic after hearing warnings from GSIM fighters, but those who remained were rounded up and executed. Survivors described the scene as a “massacre”—17 bodies were later found under a tree, with four more discovered north of the village. All victims were men aged 20 to 65, shot point-blank in the head or chest. The attackers set at least 10 homes and three storage huts ablaze, targeting the homes of Fulani residents.

A 40-year-old shepherd, hiding with his 9-year-old daughter, recounted finding the 17 corpses when the assailants left around 4 p.m. “The bodies were riddled with bullets. One man’s skull was shattered. Spent cartridges littered the ground.” Another villager, 39, helped bury the dead: “We dug a mass grave under the tree and laid the 17 men to rest. Four more were found to the north, all shot in the stomach and head. We buried them in another pit and covered them with sand.” Villagers provided a list of 21 names but suspect at least 15 additional men were killed in the bush that day, though they dared not verify due to fear of the army’s return.

October 13: Balle village targeted, 10 more killed

Thirteen days later, soldiers in five pick-ups and dozos on 30 motorcycles descended on Balle. A 24-year-old man recalled: “I didn’t flee immediately, but when I saw soldiers kicking and slapping men door-to-door, I ran. From my hiding place, I heard gunfire.” The attackers killed nine men and one woman, aged 22 to 67, and stole over 100 cattle. A 33-year-old survivor found the ten bodies in the village center: “They lay side by side, riddled with bullets. Some had broken limbs.“

The victim’s 21-year-old daughter described how her mother, a 55-year-old woman, confronted the soldiers, accusing them of abuse. “She walked toward them. They took her to where the men were gathered and shot her.“

Military denies wrongdoing amid rising tensions

The Malian army’s chief of staff claimed on October 14 that the October 13 operation near Balle was an “offensive reconnaissance” that “neutralized around twenty terrorists” and seized military equipment. However, villagers insisted Balle has been under GSIM control for years, with residents paying Islamic taxes and settling disputes through jihadist courts. “There are no soldiers, gendarmes, or police here. The army assumes we’re all GSIM fighters.“

Legal and humanitarian fallout

Since 2012, Mali’s civil conflict has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced over 400,000 people. Human rights groups have documented atrocities by both state forces and armed groups, including the GSIM. The recent violence follows a GSIM siege on Bamako, which cut fuel supplies and forced the military junta to suspend all schools and universities in early September.

The international community, including the African Union, has faced criticism for its limited response to the escalating crisis. Human rights advocates urge the AU’s Peace and Security Council to prioritize Mali, demanding stronger diplomatic action and accountability for war crimes by all parties.

Accountability under scrutiny

While Mali withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, it remains bound by the Rome Statute until September 2026. The ICC opened a preliminary examination into alleged war crimes in Mali in 2013. Experts warn that failure to address impunity risks further destabilization in a region already grappling with terrorism and intercommunal violence.