The Wagner paramilitary group and the Malian army have once again plunged Mali into horror with a new massacre in the center of the country. Last Sunday, 14 young shepherds were coldly executed in the Niono circle, in the Ségou region. This tragedy is added to the long list of violence perpetrated in the country, marked by a complex and deadly conflict.
The victims, aged 12 to 18, were in the Ndoupa plains, an area where it is common for shepherds to herd their flocks to graze. On their way to join other shepherds, they came across a Malian army convoy, made up mainly of members of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner. The young shepherds were taken one by one and coldly executed by Wagner members, before being buried in two mass graves.
The Malian army, called upon to react to this tragic event, did not respond to requests for explanations. However, this massacre perpetrated by elements of Wagner comes in addition to numerous other abuses committed by the Malian army and its auxiliaries. These acts of indiscriminate violence against the civilian population arouse indignation and underline the urgency of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis plaguing the country.
The Niono region and surrounding areas have long been the scene of violence, with the presence of armed groups such as the al-Qaeda-affiliated Katiba Macina. However, these terrorist groups cannot justify the arbitrary and regular executions of civilians by the Malian army and its auxiliaries. This situation once again demonstrates the importance of ensuring respect for human rights and accountability for crimes committed.
Mali continues to face numerous security and humanitarian challenges, with a crisis that has persisted for years, endangering the lives of thousands of people, mainly civilians. It is essential that the international community redoubles its efforts to support the country in its stabilization and reconstruction efforts, while ensuring that those responsible for the crimes are brought to justice.
This new massacre in central Mali is once again a sad illustration of the brutality of the clashes taking place in the country. It is imperative that measures are taken to prevent such acts of violence and ensure the safety of the Malian population. The Malian people deserve peace and stability, so they can rebuild their country and look forward to a better future.