Human Rights Watch has published new findings on alleged abuses in Mali, including its examination of an August 19 strike on the Tombonkore market in Bandiagara region. The organisation described that attack as apparently indiscriminate. Its investigation covers the military, its allies and armed groups, including abuse of captured soldiers. The incidents occurred in earlier months; the organisation called for independent investigations and sustained African Union scrutiny.
Human Rights Watch, an international human rights organisation, published findings on October 19 alleging abuses by Mali’s military, its allies and insurgent groups. It called for independent investigations and stronger scrutiny by the African Union. The investigation addresses attacks on civilians and mistreatment of captured soldiers in previous months.[1], [2]
The organisation examined a July 29 strike on a health facility in Talahandak, in Mali’s Kidal region, and an August 19 strike on the Tombonkore market in Bandiagara region. It described the attacks as apparently indiscriminate. Investigators interviewed 30 people, including 16 witnesses, and examined imagery and photographs. They could not identify the particular drone or munition. Mali’s defence minister did not answer questions sent on August 5, the organisation said.[1]
The investigation also examined a July convoy attack in Mali’s Gao region by the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known as JNIM, and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front. Human Rights Watch concluded that surrendered soldiers were tortured and executed, while it could not establish every armed man’s affiliation. JNIM acknowledged killings of captives but denied ordering them. The Azawad Liberation Front denied its fighters carried out executions. These are attributed findings and responses, rather than court judgments.[1]
