Human rights violations in Mali amid ongoing conflict
In 2025, Mali has seen a significant deterioration in human rights, with authorities intensifying restrictions on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Political opponents and civil society members face arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and illegal detentions. Government forces, their allies, and armed groups have perpetrated unlawful attacks, including killings and forced disappearances, while imposing blockades in multiple cities. The conflict has also led to the closure of at least 2,036 schools, depriving thousands of children of their right to education.
Political and security context
Following the collapse of a peace process boycotted by political parties, civil society, and certain armed groups, authorities introduced the National Charter for Peace and Reconciliation in February. In April, the five-year political transition period, established after the 2020 military coup, was extended.
In June, the Wagner Group, a private military company, was replaced by the Africa Corps, a Russian Defense Ministry-affiliated organization, under a new security partnership with Mali. August saw authorities claim to have foiled a military coup, resulting in the arrest of several army officers and a French diplomat, who was also identified as a French intelligence agent.
In September, Mali announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Suppression of political freedoms
The dissolution of all political parties by authorities highlighted the severe and ongoing repression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. In April and May, protests against this decision were met with violent crackdowns by security forces in the capital, Bamako.
Enforced disappearances escalate
Security forces have systematically targeted activists, civil society leaders, and political figures through enforced disappearances. On March 14, Alou Badra Sacko, coordinator of the February 20th Movement and president of the civil society group Touche pas à mon argent, was abducted by armed, masked men in central Bamako. He had publicly demanded the removal of taxes on mobile financial transactions and was released on May 24.
On May 8, El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema party, was kidnapped from his home. His whereabouts remained unknown until his release on September 26, following international pressure from the UN Human Rights Council. Thiam had been a vocal critic of the dissolution of political parties and the extension of the political transition.
Later that same day, masked gunmen claiming to be gendarmes abducted Alhassane Abba, secretary-general of the Convergence pour le développement du Mali, from his Bamako residence. He was freed on June 5 without facing legal proceedings.
Arbitrary arrests and detentions
In March, the UN Human Rights Council called for the release of political activists Moulaye Baba Haïdara, Mahamoud Mohamed Mangane, and Amadou Togola, who had been tortured in detention since 2023. They were accused of crimes including undermining state security and damaging national unity.
Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara was arrested in August after posting on X that he would fight by all means for the rights of detained individuals. Charged with undermining state credibility and opposing legitimate authority, he was sentenced in October to one year in prison.
Anti-corruption activist Clément Dembele remained imprisoned despite a court ruling in April ordering his release. He was arrested in 2023 for allegedly threatening the president and his family. The UN Human Rights Council reiterated calls for his unconditional release in August.
Abuses by armed groups
Armed groups have carried out unlawful killings and abductions of civilians. In February, 34 civilians were killed in an attack by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) on a civilian convoy near Gao, escorted by Malian security forces.
In May, civil society leader Sidi Barka was abducted by EIS members in Ménaka and found dead in August on the city’s outskirts.
Also in May, Ousmane Kampo, mayor of Konna (Mopti region), was kidnapped by members of the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) while working in his fields. He was released on October 4.
In August, the Macina Katiba launched an attack on Farabougou (Dogofry commune), seizing military positions and killing civilians, triggering mass displacement. Later that month, the mayor of Dogofry, Modibo Kimbiri, and his driver were shot dead by traditional hunters between Diabaly and Dogofry.
On November 6, armed group members abducted Mariam Cissé, a social media influencer, in Echell (Tombouctou region). The next day, they took her to her hometown of Tonka, executed her, and left her body in a public square.
Violations by state forces and allies
Malian armed forces and their allies have committed grave violations, including torture and extrajudicial executions. On March 16, at least 10 civilians were killed in a drone strike by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) during a market day in Ejdeïr, Tombouctou region.
On April 12, FAMa and Wagner-affiliated forces arrested over 100 men, primarily from the Fulani community, at a market in Sebabougou (Kayes region). According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), around 60 were taken to the Kwala military camp in Koulikoro, where they were tortured and later extrajudicially executed. A week later, decomposing bodies matching their descriptions were found near the camp.
On May 12, Malian soldiers and Dozos militiamen arrested 23 to 27 men at Diafarabé’s weekly market, blindfolded them, and transported them by pirogue to the opposite riverbank, where they were executed and buried in mass graves. Despite promises of an investigation, no further details have been disclosed.
Impact on economic and social rights
The GSIM has imposed blockades on several cities, including Gossi, Léré, and Diafarabé, restricting access to essential goods and violating rights to food security and free movement. In July, the group announced plans to block fuel shipments from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, targeting tanker trucks in western and central Mali.
Education crisis deepens
The education crisis has worsened, with 2,036 schools closed due to insecurity as of June—a rise from 1,984 in June 2024. An estimated 618,000 children are now deprived of education, with Kidal being the hardest-hit region, where 63% of children are out of school.