While fighting between rival jihadist groups continued Monday, October 31 in northern Mali, concern is mounting among elected officials and community associations in the center of the country: at least 13 civilians were killed on Sunday in the Mopti region, in a descent of armed men, according to testimonies. These point to Wagner’s Russian army and troops.
With our regional correspondent, Serge Daniel
Two Malian military sources reject ” categorically “these accusations:” We are a republican army that respects human rights “, insists for example a senior officer of the army.
But nevertheless on the ground, several interlocutors sign and persist: the muscular descent of this Sunday in the village of Malian Guelledjé, in the circle of Tenenkou in the center of the country, is the work ” Malian soldiers accompanied by white soldiers – the terminology used to designate the Russian military. These are ” instructors ” according to Bamako, ” mercenaries according to several Western countries such as France and the United States.
Suspected civilians to be jihadists lost their lives during this descent, at least 13 according to elected officials and community associations. ” Once again, we ask the Malian state to avoid amalgams : all the Fulani are not terrorists “, protests a local nobleman.
A local civilian who has lost two parents testifies: among the civilians killed, there is a woman, her daughter, and her granddaughter. In addition to the dead, local residents suspected of being jihadists were arrested. Malian associations are calling for their release and an independent investigation on the ground to identify those responsible.
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