Mali: sharp increase in violence against civilians according to a UN report
Malian army soldiers in exercise (illustrative image).
AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES
Text by: David Baché
3 min
In Mali, Minusma is publishing its quarterly note on human rights violations on Monday, August 30, 2021.
The United Nations mission recorded attacks on civilians between April 1 and June 30, and noted a significant increase of 25% between the first and second quarters of 2021.
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At least 527 civilians were killed, wounded, kidnapped or missing.
The human rights division of Minusma points to a general increase of 25%, compared to the previous quarter, 49% even for those killed.
The circles
in central Mali
are the most affected: Douentza, Djenne, Bandiagara, Niono, Mopti, Ségou and Koro, as well as, to a lesser extent, those of Gao and Ansongo in the north.
The UN note also notes a “
worrying increase in incidents linked to violent extremism in several regions of southern Mali such as Koutiala and Sikasso, and along the border with Burkina Faso
.
“Areas that are less and less spared.
Jihadist terrorist groups, the GSIM linked to Aqmi or
the Sahelian branch of the Islamic State group
, are responsible for the vast majority of violent acts, i.e. 287 cases.
But UN investigators also denounce community self-defense groups, most often formed around traditional dozo hunters, with 157 cases.
Here again, we are talking about assassinations but also kidnappings for ransom.
Six cases are also attributed to armed groups signatories to the peace agreement.
Security forces also pinned down
On the modus operandi of jihadist terrorist groups, in addition to assassinations, the installation of improvised explosive devices, or kidnappings, the Minusma points to attacks against schools, with equipment set on fire and threats made against teachers and against families of children. students.
In this report, the security forces are also singled out.
The Malian soldiers first, with 46 cases, or 9% of acts of violence against civilians in the country, but also regional and international soldiers, so Barkhane, the peacekeepers of Minusma, or the G5 Sahel force. , which is particularly singled out by UN investigators, with 31 cases, or 6% of the violence observed.
The note finally notes that in areas where local non-aggression agreements have been signed with jihadist groups, the populations have logically suffered less violence, but that they have on the other hand "
had to give up a large number of their freedoms. fundamental
.
"Especially women and girls, forced to wear the veil on pain of being flogged, and who are prohibited from participating"
in any informational program
.
The inhabitants are also subject to taxes on livestock, businesses or crops.
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