Africa Corps commits human rights abuses including rapes and beheadings in Mali
Africa Corps commits human rights abuses including rapes and beheadings in Mali
- Civilians in Mali report that the Africa Corps, a military unit under Russian command, is employing tactics reminiscent of the previous Wagner group, including severe human rights abuses.
- Witnesses describe horrific experiences, detailing incidents of beheadings and rapes as civilians become increasingly caught in the crossfire between armed groups and military forces.
- The ongoing violence raises serious questions about accountability for war crimes, as international experts note that actions by the Africa Corps could implicate the Russian government under international law.
Story
Mali has been witnessing significant turmoil with the establishment of a new Russian military unit known as the Africa Corps, which replaced the Wagner mercenary group. Since its inception, the Africa Corps has been accused of committing severe human rights abuses, including beheadings and rapes, as they cooperate with Mali's military in efforts to combat extremist groups. Refugees who have escaped the violence reported that the tactics employed by the Africa Corps mirror those previously utilized by Wagner, suggesting a continuity of brutal practices despite a change in name and official status. Dozens of civilians fleeing the violence conveyed their traumatic experiences to journalists, with many highlighting the creeping fear and horror that each encounter with armed groups instills. Accounts by witnesses reveal systematic atrocities, with village leaders stating that the Africa Corps is essentially an extension of previous forces and that they recognize no distinction between the two. The situation is so dire that civilians feel caught between
