Massive Human Rights Violations Reported in Azawad and Central Mali - 2025

Bamako, February 5, 2026 - The 2025 annual report of a leading human rights monitoring organization reveals a disturbing surge in human rights violations in Azawad (northern Mali) and parts of central Mali, documenting 374 serious incidents committed amid a non-international armed conflict.

The report attributes most violations to the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) operating alongside foreign armed actors, including Wagner Group and later Africa Corps. Documented abuses include:

Extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests.

Torture and the destruction and looting of civilian property.

Drone strikes causing hundreds of casualties, including women and children, contributing to a reported 553 deaths.

The economic, social, and environmental impact is equally alarming: over 2,600 civilian properties have been destroyed or looted, and deliberate forest fires have further endangered vulnerable communities. While sexual violence remains under-documented due to security challenges, the report classifies it as a war crime, highlighting the gravity of the abuses.

In response to these systematic violations of international humanitarian law, the organization calls for:

Independent investigations.

Immediate cessation of attacks on civilians.

A strong fight against impunity.

The report urges both Malian authorities and the international community to take urgent action to protect civilians, ensure justice, and restore prospects for lasting peace in Mali.