BAMAKO, September 29 — Amnesty International released a report documenting war crimes by Mali’s armed forces and the Wagner Group between June 2023 and December 2025. The report details the unlawful killing of at least 34 civilians in seven localities across Mali’s Ségou, Mopti, and Timbuktu regions. None of the victims were taking direct part in hostilities at the time of their deaths.
Many were deliberately shot while fleeing or after being arrested, with some victims having their throats slit, being burnt alive, or subjected to post-mortem mutilation. The findings are based on field investigations and survivor testimonies collected over the period.
In Tin Adanda, a small hamlet in the Timbuktu region, four people were killed on 12 February 2025 during a joint patrol by FAMa and Wagner. Hana*, a survivor who has taken refuge in Mberra (Mauritania), lost two sons and a cousin who were arrested and then killed.
She described the military operation as being led by ‘mostly white men, accompanied by FAMa.’ The report also highlights two drone strikes carried out by the FAMa, targeting a market in Ejdeir on 16 March 2025 and a family home in Tangata in November 2025, killing at least 23 people, including at least five children. According to Amnesty International, there was no evidence of the presence of members of armed groups or military objectives at either drone strike site.
If confirmed, these strikes would amount to direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and should be investigated as possible war crimes. The organization called for the Malian authorities to conduct impartial and effective investigations into the alleged crimes. Amnesty International urged the Malian government to protect civilians during military operations, comply with international humanitarian law, and establish an independent domestic accountability mechanism to monitor the conduct of foreign personnel operating in the country.
The report stressed that accountability is essential to prevent further violations and to uphold Mali’s obligations under international law. It also called on international partners to support efforts toward transparency and justice. The findings add to growing concerns about the conduct of foreign military actors in the Sahel region.
The organization noted that the pattern of violence described in the report suggests systemic failures in command and control, as well as a lack of oversight over joint operations involving foreign personnel. Amnesty International emphasized that the Malian state bears primary responsibility for ensuring that all forces operating on its territory adhere to legal standards.
It urged the United Nations and regional bodies to monitor the situation closely and to support investigative efforts. The report concluded that without meaningful accountability, cycles of violence are likely to continue. Looking ahead, Amnesty International said it will continue to document abuses and advocate for justice for victims.
