On Tuesday 16 May, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on the Malian transitional authorities to shed light on the events that took place in Moura from 27 to 31 March 2022, “through an independent, impartial, effective and exhaustive judicial enquiry and to bring to justice all those responsible for abuses”.
On 12 May, a report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed the multiple abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that occurred during the military operation in Moura by members of the Malian armed forces and the Wagner group.
Highlighting that the EU and its Member States had supported Mali’s fight against terrorist groups for many years and that the conduct of military operations to contain this threat was necessary, the High Representative said that the “violence” perpetrated by state forces and elements of the Wagner group against the civilian population, as documented in the report, was “unjustifiable”.
According to Mr Borrell, the fight against terrorism can never justify massive human rights violations. “Impunity must be fought with severity and the utmost urgency”, he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)