A new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleges that Russian paramilitary forces, known as the Africa Corps, were responsible for the deaths of nine civilians in Mali. According to the organization, the incident involved the targeting of individuals during a military operation. The report specifically notes that the killings took place in the presence of Malian government soldiers, suggesting a level of coordination or tacit approval by local forces.

The Africa Corps, which has replaced the Wagner Group in several African nations, has been operating in Mali to assist the ruling military junta in its fight against insurgent groups. While the Malian government has frequently denied allegations of human rights abuses by its forces and their foreign allies, this report adds to a growing list of international concerns regarding the conduct of these paramilitaries.

There is currently no public response from the Malian government or the Russian Africa Corps regarding these specific allegations. The lack of independent verification from the ground remains a significant challenge, as access for journalists and human rights monitors in the affected regions is heavily restricted by the Malian military authorities. The HRW report serves as one of the few accounts of the incident, highlighting the ongoing tension between international human rights observers and the current Malian administration.