Niger dismisses accusations of abuses against soldiers in Mali

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For several weeks, the Nigerien armed forces have been accused of committing atrocities during their anti-terrorist operations, in several areas of Mali. 

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In a document published Wednesday, June 10, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs details the conclusion of its investigations into these alleged extrajudicial executions which allegedly took place in Mali, around Diffa, and especially in the Inatès area. In this region, the authorities say that the allegations of human rights violations by the Nigerien armed forces "  have no basis  ".

Thus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects these accusations altogether. As a reminder, in this area of ​​Inatès, 102 civilians have been missing since the end of March-beginning of April. Local authorities have identified their identities and then handed over to the regional and national authorities the list of those missing. Many are thought to be Tuaregs.

► Read also: Sahel: at least 200 civilians victims of abuses between February and April according to Amnesty

What have they become ? According to several sources, they were killed before being buried in mass graves. Nigerien armed forces operating in the area have since been suspected of having carried out the killings.

An investigation and " no tangible evidence "

In view of the gravity of these accusations, the Nigerien authorities have therefore launched an investigation entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the Armed Forces and the gendarmerie.

"  No tangible and irrefutable evidence has been provided either by the complainants or by the so-called eyewitnesses to substantiate the allegations against military elements operating in the area,  " they concluded.

As for the photos circulating on social networks, the ministry indicates that "  they do not highlight any presence of soldiers of the Nigerien armed forces, in the zone, at the time of the acts alleged against the soldiers  ".

According to the Nigerien authorities, the armed terrorist groups would try to sow confusion because certain elements of these groups would put on the trellises of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), as the latter would have noted during recent clashes. In addition, they also use military vehicles stolen during the attacks.

The ministry added that "  all the troops are well trained and sensitized on the issues of international humanitarian law. He even goes so far as to conclude that "  the Nigerien army is recognized as being among the African armies most respectful of international humanitarian law  ".

The National Commission for Human Rights in Niger (CNDH) has visited this area of ​​Inates and must also soon report on these accusations of abuses.

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• Mali
• Niger
• Sahel
• Terrorism

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