Mali: an increase in the number of violence in 2022, according to MINUSMA

2023-03-23T22:46:27.402Z

MINUSMA published this week its report on violence and human rights abuses in Mali. A quarterly note (October-December 2022) which therefore allows us to have a look at the whole...Mali: an increase in the number of violence in 2022, according to MINUSMA Malian army vehicle in Timbuktu, September 9, 2021. AFP - MAIMOUNA MORO Text by: RFI Follow 2 min MINUSMA published this week its report on violence and human rights abuses in Mali. A quarterly note (October-December 2022) which therefore allows us to have a look at the whole of 2022. Compared to 2021, the number of people k

Mali: an increase in the number of violence in 2022, according to MINUSMA

Malian army vehicle in Timbuktu, September 9, 2021. AFP - MAIMOUNA MORO

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

MINUSMA published this week its report on violence and human rights abuses in Mali. A quarterly note (October-December 2022) which therefore allows us to have a look at the whole of 2022. Compared to 2021, the number of people killed has increased by 54%.

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The main culprits are jihadist groups. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM, its Arabic acronym) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) are responsible for more than half of the violations against civilians. Cattle rustling, destruction of crops, attacks on schools, kidnappings. According to the UN mission, these groups take advantage of intercommunal conflicts to expand their influence.

In the regions of Gao, Menaka or Timbuktu, they keep local populations under pressure, asking them to rally to their cause and not to collaborate with the authorities, under penalty of reprisals. Several localities were targeted after refusing to comply. Many civilians are often forced to flee. Because of clashes between jihadists, armed groups and self-defense militias.

Bamako rejects accusations against Malian forces

In addition, MINUSMA also singled out the Malian defense and security forces, sometimes accompanied by "foreign military personnel". They are responsible for just over a third of the violations committed in 2022.

Accusations rejected by Bamako, which questions the credibility of the report and the method used. The transitional authorities also ensure that the defence forces work "autonomously to protect civilians". While confirming once again the presence of Russian instructors in Mali.

This MINUSMA report does not take into account the massacre in Moura. At the end of March 2022, an anti-terrorist operation according to Bamako left several civilians dead in this locality, according to NGO reports.

► READ ALSO: UN experts demand an investigation into the "possible crimes" of the Malian army and the "Wagner group"

Mali: an increase in the number of violence in 2022, according to MINUSMA

Mali: an increase in the number of violence in 2022, according to MINUSMA

Bamako rejects accusations against Malian forces

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