U.N. experts urge probe of reported executions, disappearances

1/5/2025 5:49

United Nations experts on

Wednesday called on Mali to investigate reports of summary

executions and enforced disappearances after several dozen

bodies were found outside a military camp earlier this month.



The executions, if confirmed, could amount to war crimes

while the disappearances could constitute crimes against

humanity, the experts said in a statement expressing "outrage"

at the reports.



Last week, "several dozen decomposing bodies" were found on

the outskirts of the Kwala military camp in Mali's southwestern

Koulikoro region, the statement said.



"We urge Malian authorities to conduct prompt, effective,

thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations

into these killings and enforced disappearances, in accordance

with international law," it said.



Spokespeople for Mali's military and defence ministry did

not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.



According to a document provided to Reuters by the ethnic

Fulani association Tabital Pulaaku, the bodies found at the

military camp were believed to be those of people arrested on

April 12 in the village of Sebabougou, located in the western

Kayes region.



Mali's armed forces carried out the arrests, Tabital Pulaaku

said. While some were released after questioning, more than 60

people, almost all ethnic Fulani, have been missing since the

operation, it said.



Citing "unconfirmed reports", the U.N. experts said some of

those arrested in Sebabougou were transported to the Kwala camp,

where they were interrogated and tortured before being taken out

of the camp and executed by opening fire.



Reuters has not been able to independently verify that

account.



Mali's military government, which seized power following

coups in 2020 and 2021, has kicked out French and other Western

forces and turned towards Russia, mainly fighters from the

Wagner mercenary outfit, for military support.



Mali's armed forces said in a statement on Monday that they

had conducted military operations targeting those they called

"terrorist armed groups" between April 11 and 15 in several

areas, including Sebabougou and Kwala.