Wagner Group Accused of Executing Civilians in Mali
BAMAKO, MALI – November 26, 2025 – Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries are facing mounting accusations of deliberately killing civilians during operations in Mali, according to a joint investigation by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International published today. The report details alleged summary executions and other abuses committed between March and July 2024,primarily targeting individuals suspected of supporting armed groups in the Mopti and Ségou regions.
The allegations come as Mali’s transitional government,which invited Wagner forces into the country in late 2021 to assist in combating Islamist militants,faces increasing scrutiny over its human rights record. The presence of Wagner has coincided with a surge in reported abuses against civilians, raising concerns about accountability and the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region. The investigation highlights a pattern of indiscriminate violence and a disregard for civilian lives, potentially constituting war crimes.
The report, based on interviews with over 50 victims and witnesses, alleges that Wagner mercenaries carried out at least six separate incidents resulting in the deaths of at least 27 civilians. Witnesses described scenes of targeted killings, with victims frequently enough shot after being detained.One account details an incident near the village of Lere in March 2024, where Wagner fighters allegedly executed seven men accused of being affiliated with Katiba macina, a local armed group.
“Wagner forces have demonstrated a shocking disregard for the lives of civilians in Mali,” said Ilaria Alpi, a senior researcher at Amnesty International. “These killings must be investigated, and those responsible brought to justice.”
The Malian government has not yet publicly responded to the specific allegations outlined in the report. however, officials have previously defended the presence of Wagner, claiming they are essential for restoring security in a country grappling with a decade-long jihadist insurgency.
Wagner’s involvement in Mali is part of a broader Russian strategy to expand its influence in the Sahel region of Africa, offering security assistance in exchange for access to natural resources and political support. The group has been accused of similar abuses in the Central African Republic and Ukraine. The united Nations has repeatedly called for an independent investigation into the conduct of Wagner forces in Mali, but access for international observers remains limited.
