Human Rights Watch has released a harrowing report accusing Mali’s armed forces and the Russian Wagner Group of serious abuses against the Fulani ethnic group, including executions and enforced disappearances.
According to the NGO, at least 12 Fulani men have been executed and another 81 have vanished since January 2025 during joint military operations aimed at Islamist insurgents. These operations have disproportionately impacted the Fulani community, which militant groups often try to recruit making them frequent targets of government crackdowns.
The Wagner Group, known for operating outside formal Russian military command, has a history of alleged human rights violations in various conflict zones and has been active in Mali for several years, providing support to the country’s military forces.
Human Rights Watch is urging the African Union to take action and pressure Mali’s ruling junta to launch credible investigations into the allegations and protect civilians from further harm.
