Rising Tensions in Mali: Alleged Military Reprisal Leaves Civilians in Peril
By: Zagazola Makama
Fear and devastation have gripped the town of Nampala and its surrounding villages in central Mali following a military operation allegedly carried out by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) and their Russian allies.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the raid, which took place on March 13, resulted in the destruction of multiple villages and the displacement of hundreds of civilians. Survivors claim that the attack was part of a military reprisal against communities suspected of harboring or sympathizing with terrorist groups operating in the region.
While the Malian government has yet to comment on the incident, independent reports indicate that armed troops, supported by Russian paramilitary personnel linked to the Wagner Group, stormed the villages in the early hours of the morning, setting homes ablaze and forcing families to flee into the bush.
Residents of Nampala, a small town situated about 30 kilometers from the Mauritanian border in the Ségou region, described a scene of chaos and destruction.
“They arrived in vehicles and motorcycles,” an eyewitness recounted to NAN. “They fired into the air before they started burning houses. Families fled as fast as they could, but many had nowhere to go.”
Thick smoke blanketed the area as houses and livestock were consumed by fire. Eyewitnesses described the soldiers and their Russian allies as methodical in their approach, moving from one cluster of homes to another, setting them alight and forcing the inhabitants to run for their lives.
“They accuse us of supporting terrorists, but we are just farmers who want to live in peace,” lamented a resident whose home was reduced to ashes. “We have nothing left. Where shall we go?”
According to local accounts, Malian forces and their foreign allies have been increasingly accused of targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Residents claim that security operations often conflate innocent villagers with insurgents, leading to indiscriminate violence.
Many survivors point to the involvement of Russian paramilitary personnel, commonly referred to as Wagner mercenaries, in the operation.
“They are recognized by their light skin and their uniforms, which are different from those of the FAMA,” a survivor said. “They don’t speak our language but give orders to our soldiers, and they follow them with devotion.”
Rights groups have long accused Russian mercenaries of committing human rights abuses in Mali, including extrajudicial killings and the destruction of villages under the guise of counterterrorism operations. Their presence in the country has been a point of international concern, particularly since the Malian government deepened its cooperation with Russia after severing ties with French forces in 2022.
The Malian military and its foreign allies have previously been implicated in similar operations in central and northern Mali, where entire communities have been displaced.
This latest military operation follows a disturbing trend of violence in the region. Reports of mass killings, arbitrary arrests, and forced disappearances have become common, with local populations caught between terrorist groups and government forces.
In Nampala and neighboring areas, residents are now living in fear of further attacks. The destruction of homes and farmland has left many struggling to survive, as they face displacement with no immediate aid or protection.
“We have seen this happen before in other villages,” one elder said. “We are afraid that they will come back again.”
The incident in Nampala has renewed calls for independent investigations into alleged human rights abuses by Malian forces and their Russian allies. Rights groups insist that the international community must act to prevent further atrocities and hold those responsible accountable.
“This is not just about fighting terrorism,” said a representative from a local human rights organization. “Civilians are being caught in the crossfire, and villages are being wiped out without any form of accountability.”
For now, the people of Nampala remain stranded amid the ruins of their homes, uncertain of what the future holds.
