As Russia's Africa Corps fights in Mali, witnesses describe atrocities from beheadings to rapes
The Africa Corps, a new Russian military unit in Mali following the Wagner group's dissolution, has been implicated in severe human rights abuses, including rapes and beheadings, as it collaborates with the Malian military against extremist groups. Witnesses describe a continuity of violence reminiscent of Wagner's tactics, with civilians subjected to indiscriminate killings and terror. Despite initial hopes for improved conditions, refugees report a worsening situation marked by fear and trauma, with the international community largely unable to intervene. As Russia maintains its presence in Mali, accountability for these actions remains uncertain, raising concerns about future stability in the region.
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Refugees report that the Africa Corps employs brutal tactics similar to those of the Wagner group, including mass killings and destruction of villages, leading to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Malian authorities have not publicly acknowledged the presence of either the Wagner group or the Africa Corps, although Russian state media claim the Africa Corps is combatting terrorism at the request of the Malian government.
Civilians in Mali are caught between jihadist groups and government forces, leading some to feel that they face deadly reprisals regardless of their actions or affiliations.
The Africa Corps reportedly recruits personnel from various countries, including Russia, Belarus, and some African nations, raising questions about the composition and accountability of its forces.
Legal experts assert that the continuity in operations between Wagner and the Africa Corps means that the Russian government could be held responsible for any war crimes committed by these forces under international law.
As violence escalates in Mali's Sahel region, human rights investigations are complicated by the withdrawal of international monitoring bodies and the Malian government's resistance to external scrutiny.
Refugees describe profound personal trauma and loss due to the conflict, with many struggling to cope with the memory of their experiences and the ongoing threat of violence in their homeland.