Mali’s Army Investigates Soldiers Accused of Killing 24 Civilians

Mali’s military has launched an investigation into the alleged killing of 24 civilians by soldiers and Russian mercenaries earlier this week, marking a rare probe into human rights abuses since the military took control of the country in 2020.

The Tuareg independence movement, the Front for the Liberation of Azawad, accused Malian soldiers and Russian Wagner Group mercenaries of intercepting two civilian vehicles traveling from the eastern city of Gao to Algeria.

They claim the soldiers and mercenaries “coldly executed” at least 24 people among the passengers on Monday.

While the Malian armed forces did not directly address the killings on Wednesday, they condemned “intoxicating campaigns” against the military. By Friday, the army had announced an investigation into the deaths.

According to the Tuareg movement, one vehicle was set on fire, while the other managed to escape with some survivors.

A family member of one of the drivers of the vehicles confirmed on Tuesday that one of the cars had been transporting migrants.