The BBC has gathered testimonies regarding alleged killings and torture by Russian-aligned forces in Mali. These accounts detail tactics reportedly used by fighters engaged in counter-insurgency operations against Islamist militants in the West African nation. These methods have been condemned by several human rights organizations.
Background of Russian Involvement
In 2021, a military junta assumed power in Mali, leading to the withdrawal of French troops. The junta subsequently sought support from Russia, enlisting the Wagner mercenary group. Wagner has since withdrawn from Mali, with its operations reportedly absorbed by Africa Corps, which operates under Russia's Ministry of Defence.
A report published by the European Council on Foreign Relations last month indicated that Wagner mercenaries had utilized an invitation-only Telegram group to share content until its closure earlier this year. The report stated that participants "regularly shared photos and videos of murder, rape, torture, cannibalism and desecration of corpses against alleged insurgents and civilians." In June, The Africa Report publication stated it had "infiltrated" a Wagner-linked Telegram channel, identifying 322 videos and 647 photographs depicting reported atrocities, including severed heads and gouged-out eyes, and posts characterized as "laced with racism."
Eyewitness Accounts of Alleged Abuses
A shopkeeper, identified as Ahmed, who has since fled Mali to a refugee camp in Mauritania, reported his experience involving Wagner combatants in Nampala in August 2024. Ahmed stated that Wagner fighters detained him, accusing his boss of colluding with jihadists. He described being subjected to interrogations, during which a soldier reportedly threatened him with a knife and later subjected him to waterboarding multiple times while questioning him about his boss's location.
Ahmed recounted being placed in a toilet block with other detainees, including Hussein and Umar, who also appeared to have been subjected to physical abuse. He later reported being blindfolded, with a knife placed against his throat, and threatened with beheading if he did not provide specific information.
Following this, Ahmed stated he was housed with two other men: an ethnic Tuareg man detained while grazing cattle and an Arab man picked up while searching for camels. He reported that the following day, these two men were beheaded in his presence. Ahmed further stated that one of the bodies was brought close to him, and he was warned of a similar fate if he did not disclose his boss's whereabouts. He indicated his release occurred after a Wagner commander made a call to a Malian army officer, who confirmed the shop owner was not involved with jihadists. Ahmed left Mali with his family after 15 days in detention.
The BBC has sought comments from Russia's and Mali's defence ministries, but no responses have been received.
Reports from Campaign Groups and Think Tanks
The Sentry, a campaign group, issued a report in August stating that Wagner fighters had allegedly committed abuses against civilians and generated "chaos and fear" within the Malian military hierarchy, purportedly compelling commanders to remain silent. The report quoted a Malian official who reportedly described Wagner operatives as "worse than the French. They think my men are more stupid than them. We have gone from the frying pan to the fire."
Despite declaring its mission "accomplished," Wagner announced its withdrawal from Mali in June of this year. Analysts suggest that most of its fighters have been integrated into Africa Corps. The Senegal-based Timbuktu Institute think-tank estimates that 70% to 80% of Africa Corps fighters were previously with Wagner. The institute's July report stated that Africa Corps "inherits Wagner's legacy of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and acts of torture."
However, the violence-monitoring group Acled noted in early trends that Africa Corps' conduct appeared "less predatory" than Wagner's. Acled's senior West Africa analyst, Héni Nsaibia, reported a noticeable decrease in incidents involving deliberate civilian killings or mass atrocities.
Further Refugee Testimonies
The conflict in Mali has led nearly 50,000 people to seek refuge in M'berra refugee camp in Mauritania, according to the UN refugee agency.
Bintu, a refugee, recounted fleeing her village last year with her five children after her husband's body, reportedly riddled with bullets, was found in a river. She stated local residents informed her that he had been repeatedly shot while riding his horse. Bintu expressed feelings of trauma and fear associated with the name Wagner, attributing sadness to their actions.
Another refugee, Youssouf, reported an incident where he and friends, while herding cattle near the Mauritanian border, were allegedly beaten by Wagner fighters without apparent reason. Youssouf stated he was threatened with being thrown into a well, but another fighter intervened. He reported being transported in a vehicle where he was subjected to continuous beatings.
Youssouf stated that he and his friends were taken to a military camp north of Léré, where they were allegedly tortured with a metal rod and had their arms tied. He described losing consciousness due to the beatings. Upon regaining consciousness, he found his hands tied to those of a motionless friend. Youssouf reported that a motorbike engine was revved near his face, blowing exhaust into his nose to awaken him, a method also applied to his friend, who did not respond, indicating his death. Youssouf and his remaining friends were subsequently released without explanation.
Ahmed also described an earlier incident where Wagner forces allegedly placed the town of Nampala and surrounding villages under siege. He stated that residents were compelled to gather on a football field, where mercenaries attempted to identify an alleged satellite phone user. Ahmed reported witnessing an individual, Sikou Cissey, being subjected to waterboarding in a barrel. He added that Wagner fighters later brought shovels and pickaxes to the field, which he perceived as an intimidation tactic, before releasing most residents after a day in the sun. One individual was reportedly taken away, their fate unknown.
Ahmed expressed a desire for Wagner fighters to be held accountable for the alleged actions, stating that the experience "haunts me. It gives me nightmares." He remains in the camp, uncertain about returning to his former life.