Mass killings in Mali’s central region linked to army and allied militias
The Malian Armed Forces, alongside allied militias, stand accused of executing at least 31 civilians and torching homes in two villages within the Ségou region during early October. These allegations emerged following coordinated attacks on October 2 and October 13 in the villages of Kamona and Balle, respectively.
Chilling details from Kamona massacre
On October 2, soldiers operating from seven pickup trucks and three armored vehicles, accompanied by Dozo militiamen on motorcycles, descended upon Kamona. Witnesses reported that Dozos, predominantly from the Bambara ethnic group, have been active in counterinsurgency operations for over a decade. The attackers, dressed in camouflage and traditional attire adorned with amulets, accused local men of collaborating with the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated faction controlling the area.
Survivors describe how those unable to flee were rounded up and summarily executed. Homes were also set ablaze, with at least ten structures destroyed. The victims, all men aged 20 to 65, were found with gunshot wounds, some with severe head injuries. A local shepherd, who hid with his nine-year-old daughter, recounted discovering 17 bodies under a tree, their bodies riddled with bullets.
Community leaders provided a list of 21 confirmed victims, though some residents believe additional men may have been killed in surrounding areas. The army’s presence in the region follows recent GSIM attacks, including an assault on the Siribala sugar factory in August, which further strained local security.
Brutal assault on Balle leaves ten dead
Thirteen days later, a similar operation unfolded in Balle, 55 kilometers from Kamona. Soldiers in five pickup trucks and Dozo militiamen on 30 motorcycles descended on the village, triggering panic among residents. A 24-year-old man recounted how soldiers went door-to-door, assaulting men before opening fire. Ten civilians, including a 55-year-old woman, were killed, and over 100 cattle were stolen.
A 33-year-old man discovered the bodies of the victims, who were found with broken limbs and gunshot wounds. The woman’s daughter described how her mother confronted the soldiers, only to be dragged away and executed. The village has been under GSIM control for years, with residents reportedly paying Islamic taxes and relying on the group to resolve disputes.
Residents expressed frustration over the army’s indiscriminate approach. “The military doesn’t distinguish between us and the militants,” one villager stated. “We’ve lived under GSIM rule for years, yet the army treats us as enemies.”
Calls for accountability amid escalating violence
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of abuses documented in Mali’s ongoing conflict, which has displaced over 400,000 people since 2012. The GSIM’s recent siege on Bamako has further destabilized the region, cutting off fuel supplies and forcing the military junta to shutter schools and universities.
International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and the deliberate killing or mistreatment of detainees. While Mali withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September 2025, its obligations under the Rome Statute persist until 2026. The ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes in Mali since 2013.
The African Union (AU) has faced criticism for its limited response to the crisis. Analysts urge the AU’s Peace and Security Council to prioritize Mali, advocating for stronger diplomatic efforts and coordinated regional action to hold perpetrators accountable.
The Malian government has yet to respond to these allegations. The military’s claim of neutralizing “terrorists” during the October 13 operation in Balle remains uncorroborated by independent sources.