Wagner accused of civilian deaths in joint operations with Mali
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Russian mercenary group Wagner of civilian deaths, which took place during joint raids and drone strikes along with Malian government forces. As reported by the Associated Press on March 28th, these operations have led to significant civilian casualties, including children.
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According to HRW, both Wagner as well as the Russian-backed Malian transitional government, have engaged in efforts to suppress scrutiny of their human rights record. Following the arrival of Wagner forces, as part of a deal with Russia, after the 2021 coup in the country, there has been a significant increase in military operations, including ground raids and drone strikes on civilian gatherings. Last January a raid in Northern Mali claimed the lives of 25 civilians including children. Drone strikes, utilizing Turkish-supplied drones with laser-guided munitions, on the other hand, have thus far killed at least 20 civilians.
Following military coups, many countries in the Sahel region, including Mali, expelled French forces, and by extension French influence from their territory. As a result, they sought to acquire security assistance and guarantees from elsewhere. Russia was quick to fill this void by utilizing Wagner mercenaries, who were sent to the country in order to operate alongside Malian forces, as well as to provide training and security advice.
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Despite the group’s presence, last year it was reported that the insurgency in the country is growing. The insurgency began in 2012 by separatist extremist groups in the north, and while a UN peacekeeping force, MINUSMA, was present in Mali for a decade, last year, the Malian government, along with support from Russia, demanded the withdrawal of international forces.
Despite the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner’s leader, in August of 2023, the group’s influence in the Sahel continues to grow. Mali, along with Niger and Burkina Faso, all governed by juntas, have recently jointly left the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the region’s trading block, after being suspended by the organization due to the illegitimacy of their regimes. In response, they have proceeded to form a joint security partnership, in order to combat extremist violence, under the support of Russia.
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Despite this newfound partnership, according to analysts, violence in the region has worsened despite the juntas promises. In February, an attack at a mosque in Burkina Faso left dozens dead, and the UN has warned of an increased Islamic State threat in the region. Russia’s involvement in the Sahel, which it has also attempted to exploit in order to acquire weapons for its war in Ukraine, recently led to a heated indirect exchange between French President Emmanuel Macron, and Vladimir Putin.
AP
