Civilian deaths and destruction in Central Mali
In the volatile region of Ségou, Central Mali, a series of deadly raids carried out by the Malian Armed Forces and allied militias has left at least 31 civilians dead and homes reduced to ashes. The incidents, unfolding on October 2 and 13, targeted two villages under the control of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group.
October 2: Kamona under fire
On the morning of October 2, military convoys comprising at least seven pickup trucks, three armored vehicles, and Dozo militiamen on motorcycles stormed the village of Kamona. The Dozos, traditional hunters from the Bambara ethnic group who have collaborated with the Malian army for a decade in counterinsurgency operations, were identified by their distinctive clothing and protective amulets.
According to local testimonies, the military accused the villagers of collaborating with GSIM fighters, who had reportedly warned residents of the approaching forces. Many residents fled, but those who remained were rounded up and executed. The attack left at least 21 men dead, and 10 homes and three barns belonging to Fulani ethnic community members were set ablaze.
A 40-year-old herder, who had hidden in an abandoned house with his 9-year-old daughter, recounted his harrowing discovery: “I found 17 bodies under a tree. They were riddled with bullets. One man’s head was completely crushed. I saw spent bullet casings scattered around the bodies.” Residents compiled a list of the 21 victims, all men aged 20 to 65. Some villagers claimed additional deaths occurred in the surrounding bush, though fear prevented verification.
In total, 17 bodies were found under a tree in Kamona, and four more were discovered north of the village. Survivors described burying the dead in two mass graves.
October 13: Balle’s descent into chaos
Thirteen days later, a combined force of Malian soldiers and Dozo militiamen descended on the village of Balle, located approximately 55 kilometers from Kamona. Residents reported that the attackers arrived in five pickup trucks and at least 30 motorcycles, prompting some to flee immediately. Others witnessed soldiers conducting door-to-door searches, beating and kicking men before opening fire.
The rampage resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including a 55-year-old woman, and the theft of over 100 cattle. A 33-year-old man described the aftermath: “The bodies were scattered in the middle of the village, riddled with bullets. Some had broken limbs.” The victim’s 21-year-old daughter witnessed her mother’s killing. She recalled, “My mother shouted at the soldiers, accusing them of mistreating the villagers. They took her to where the men were gathered and shot her.“
Balle has been under GSIM control for years, with residents paying Islamic taxes (zakat) and relying on the jihadist group to resolve disputes. A local explained, “The army does not distinguish between us and the GSIM fighters. They assume we are all combatants.“
Accountability and international response
Human rights advocates have condemned the attacks, calling for thorough investigations and accountability. Ilaria Allegrozzi, Senior Sahel Researcher for a prominent watchdog, stated, “The October massacres in Ségou are the latest atrocities linked to the Malian military and their allied militias. Authorities must conduct credible, impartial investigations and bring those responsible to justice.“
The Malian government has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations. However, the military’s chief of staff issued a statement on October 14 claiming the operation in Balle had “neutralized around twenty terrorists” and seized military equipment. Witnesses and residents disputed this account, asserting that no clashes occurred before the killings.
Since 2012, Mali has been embroiled in a conflict with various armed Islamist groups, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and displacing over 400,000 people. Both state forces and jihadist groups have been documented committing grave abuses. The recent attacks coincide with a GSIM siege on Bamako, which has disrupted fuel supplies and forced the temporary closure of schools and universities nationwide.
All parties to the conflict are bound by international humanitarian law, including the common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary laws of war. These frameworks prohibit attacks on civilians, murder, cruel treatment, and torture. Individuals responsible for war crimes may face prosecution.
Though Mali withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, it remains a State Party to the Rome Statute until September 2026. The ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes in Mali since 2013.
The African Union (AU) has faced criticism for its limited action amid Mali’s escalating crisis. Despite its mandate to promote peace and security, the AU’s Peace and Security Council has largely confined itself to issuing statements expressing concern. Allegrozzi urged the council to prioritize the conflict, stating, “Regular briefings, strengthened diplomatic efforts, and coordinated regional and international actions are essential to ensure accountability for abuses by all parties.”
