Mali: HRW denounces abuses by the army and its Russian allies

In a new report, Human Rights Watch denounces abuses by the Malian army and its Russian paramilitary allies, including civilians killed or injured in attacks and while in detention. The organization says governments and international institutions have failed to act on its warnings about civilian killings in violation of international law. It is urging the African Union’s Peace and Security Council to take urgent steps to prevent further atrocities. Mali has faced a security crisis since 2012, and the military authorities who took power in the 2020 and 2021 coups turned to Russia for support, including from the Wagner Group, renamed Africa Corps in 2025.