Mali - May 2025

On 12 May, around 10 Malian soldiers arrested at least 30 men during a market day in Diafarabé, central Mali. Though some were released on the spot, witnesses reported that at least 22 men—all Fulani—were bound, blindfolded, and taken across the river in canoes before being executed, reportedly by throat-slitting, and buried in mass graves. The killings, which locals say targeted Fulani men suspected of jihadist ties, have sparked calls for an independent investigation. The incident follows strong condemnation by UN experts in late April of a similar episode: on 12 April, roughly 100 men, most of them Fulani, were arrested by Malian forces and Wagner-affiliated personnel during a market day in Sebabougou. While some were released, around 60 were taken to the Kwala military camp, where they were allegedly tortured and interrogated about links to ‘terrorists.’ Shortly after, several dozen decomposing bodies were found scattered near the Kwala military camp by relatives searching for missing family members.

Sources: UN Human Rights Office, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Jurist News, The Africa Report