Mali: the army and its auxiliaries accused of rape and looting in Nia-Ouro

The Malian Armed Forces (Fama) and their Russian auxiliaries are accused of rape and looting in the village of Nia-Ouro in the center of the country (Illustration image).

© MICHELE CATTANI/AFP

Text by: David Baché

2 mins

In Mali, new accusations of abuses target the Malian army and its Russian auxiliaries – mercenaries of the Wagner Group, for many Western and African countries, simple instructors sent by the Russian State, for Bamako.

This time, it is about accusations of sexual violence and rape, which were allegedly committed on Sunday September 4, 2022 in the commune of Fakala, near Sofara, Mopti region, in central Mali, according to numerous local sources. .

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They first entered the village of Tandiama at 5 am.

The Malian soldiers, accompanied by their Russian auxiliaries and traditional dozo hunters, do not commit any violence.

But in search of information on the jihadist groups active in the area, they arrested two inhabitants, notables of the village. 

Then, they take the direction of Nia-Ouro, very close.

A village which has already been the target of deadly abuses by the army in January, allegations then denied by the general staff who had explained that they had carried out “ 

” there.

Still, this Sunday, alerted to the arrival of the convoy and feeling threatened, the men fled to hide in the bush. 

Photos and rapes

When the Fama and their allies arrive in the village, only the old people, the invalids... and the women remain.

According to concordant information collected from numerous local sources, the dozo hunters take up position in the health center, the Malian soldiers and their Russian auxiliaries in the village school.

Then the women are ordered to go home.

Reportedly, it was the white men who, while inspecting the houses, ordered the women to undress.

They take pictures of them before, in some cases, touching them.

Several sources clearly speak of rapes.  

Massive looting

This sexual violence is accompanied by looting: jewelry, gold, silver, furniture... livestock is also stolen and residents arrested.

Many residents have left to take shelter in the neighboring localities of Sofara – near which there is a camp of the Malian special forces – and Tandiama.

Asked by RFI, the Malian army did not wish to react.

This Tuesday, soldiers and dozo hunters were still reported in the village.

Accusations of looting are very frequent, accusations of rape are much less so.

But this is not the first time: during the vast

, carried out in March and marred by numerous allegations of abuse, certain testimonies had already mentioned it.

And already, it is the Russian auxiliaries of the Malian army who were accused.

The general staff of the armies had denied any abuse and announced the opening of an investigation, the results of which have not been communicated to date.

►Also read: In Mali, the UN confirms the involvement of Malian and "white" soldiers in the killing of 33 civilians near Ségou

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