Security forces kidnap, kill civilians in central Mali
BAMAKO, May 15 (Reuters) - Malian armed forces arrested and killed around two dozen Fulani civilians who were rounded up at a livestock market in a central region of the West African country, a local activist told Reuters.
Women in the town of Diafarabe, where the incident took place, led a rare public protest on Wednesday over their disappearance.
"A survivor who managed to flee from Diafarabe alerted and said that they killed them, executed some of them, slit their throats and buried them in a mass grave," the activist said.
The activist, who could not be named for safety reasons, is close to Tabital Pulaaku, an international association that represents the Fulani people.
The incident took place on Monday in a rural area on the banks of the Niger river, the activist said. The men were loaded onto a canoe and taken to an island cemetery, where they were killed.
Mali's armed forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday.
The armed forces are backed by Russian mercenaries, previously known as Wagner and now Africa Corps, who could not be reached for comment.
Human Rights Watch has accused both groups of committing atrocities and serious abuses against civilians.
The U.N. last month called for an investigation after decomposing bodies were found on the outskirts of a military camp in the southwestern Koulikoro region of Mali.
The country's military government, which seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021, has expelled French and other Western forces and turned to Russia for military support.
Public frustration with the ruling junta is growing over the postponement of elections and a crackdown on political freedom.
Hundreds of people gathered this month to call for multi-party elections, chanting slogans like "down with dictatorship, long live democracy". The protests followed a national council recommendation to grant leader Assimi Goita a new five-year mandate and dissolve all political parties.
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23 minutes ago
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an hour ago
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Greta Thunberg's 'freedom flotilla' crew in full - including dad of 6-month baby
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The 33-year-old left-wing politician said in a video recorded ahead of the vessel's interception: "We count on your mobilisation to put pressure on the French government to demand our release." Yasemin Acar Yasemin Acar, 37, is a German citizen with Kurdish parents who came from Turkey, and she has worked extensively helping Ukrainian refugees in Germany since the war with Russia began, creating Berlin Arrival Support. She has even advised the Berlin Senate on how to deal with refugees. Yasemin has been a "vocal advocate" for Palestine for a long time, according to the FFC website, and has organised a number of demonstrations on the issue. Omar Faiad Journalist Omar Faiad works for Al Jazeera Mubasher - a Middle Eastern 24-hour news channel - and is reported to have been onboard the vessel to report on the activists' journey. The release of the French journalist has been called for by Reporters Without Borders, (RSF) who strongly objected to the detainment, calling it an "attack on journalism". Yanis Mhamdi Another French journalist reporting from the vessel, Yanis Mhamdi was also detained by Israel. Yanis works for the website Blast and said on his social media shortly before Madleen was intercepted: "I am a journalist and my arrest by the Israeli army is imminent. I call on all journalists to mobilise." The RSF also "firmly condemn" Yanis being held, saying in a statement about the two journalists: "Boarding a civilian vessel in international waters to intercept a crew that included two French journalists documenting a peaceful humanitarian initiative is not only illegal, but constitutes a serious violation of international law and press freedom." Thiago Avila Brazilian Thiago Avila, 37, was also on board the vessel and is a steering member of the FFC. He coordinates the organisation's Brazilian arm and he has been campaigning for Palestine for 19 years, with a focus on creating humanitarian corridors for aid since 2023 - and has a six-month-old daughter. Other passengers There were six other passengers onboard the Madleen - who the FFC refers to as volunteers. This included three other people from France - Baptiste Andrew, Pascal Maurieras, and Reva Viard - Mark van Riennes from the Netherlands, Suayb Ordu from Turkey, and a Spanish citizen, Sergio Toribio. Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham was initially reported to be taking part in the Flotilla too, but has not been named as one of the passengers on Greta's boat.
