Malian Security Forces Accused of War Crimes by the UN’s Inquiry Commission. According to UN investigators looking into Mali’s war, the Malian army allegedly committed war crimes. Also, jihadists and other armed groups are accused of inflicting crime against humanity.
The International Commission of Inquiry, made up of a three-member panel, tabled in a mammoth 338-page report bearing the allegations to the UN chief Antonio Guterres in mid-2020. Last week, Guterres sent the report to the UN’s 15 member security council.
The Commission
The commission comprises Simon Munzu (Cameroonian), Lena Sundh (Swedish), and Vinod Boolell (Mauritian). The UN Secretary-General appointed the trio in January 2018.
The commission has been probing the Malian events for six years since the country’s war escalated in 2012.
The Report
In the report seen by AFP, the commission believes that the Malian defense and security forces accused of war crimes committed war crimes, which included violence to the lives of civilians, Hors de combats, and people suspected to be affiliated or working with the armed extremist groups.
Moreover, the report’s investigation details highlight the inter-ethnic violence that has led to bloodshed in the West African country.
The commission used the June 17, 2017 attack on Central Mali to spotlight the inter-ethnic violence. The retaliatory attack by Dan Na Ambassagou -affiliated to the Dogon community- was directed to Peuls, hamlets of the Fulani ethnic group, leaving 39 civilians dead, including children. The raid marked the beginning of attacks on the Fulani living in Koro.
Consequently, the commission believes that the actions, which resulted in murder, constitute a crime against humanity.
The report further highlights war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by extremist groups. The crimes include murder and cruel treatment, sexual violence, rape, hostage-taking, and attacks against humanitarian organizations and MINUSM (UN Peacekeeping force in Mali).
Mali war
Mali plunged into war in 2012 when Tuareg heretics launched a revolution north of the country. However, this revolution was overshadowed by another armed campaign by jihadists.
In 2013, France took a military expedition on her former colony, scattering the jihadist groups. However, the jihadists regrouped and expanded into central Mali, sparking ethnic violence. They later advanced their campaigns into neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso.
These armed groups and extremists’ campaigns have led to the death of thousands and the displacement of other hundreds of thousands.
Report’s Conclusion
The commission of inquiry is yet to publicize its conclusions but has recommended a special court for prosecuting international crimes be set up.
Importantly, unlike other similar UN reports, the conclusions reached by the commission of inquiry are valid to be used as a basis for prosecution.
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