Warning: This story contains descriptions of torture and physical violence. Some readers may find it distressing.
A shopkeeper in Mali has come forward to share a harrowing account of his experience with Russian mercenaries operating in the country, highlighting a tragic pattern of violence. Eyewitness reports collected by various organizations indicate a disturbing level of brutality employed by these mercenaries in their counter-insurgency efforts against jihadist fighters.
In August 2024, Ahmed, who managed a shop in Nampala, was captured by members of the Wagner Group, who suspected him of collaborating with jihadist insurgents. He detailed how he was physically tortured and even witnessed the cold-blooded execution of two other detainees. They brought one of the bodies closer to me to smell the fresh blood and told me, 'If you don't tell us the whereabouts of the shop owner, you will suffer a similar fate,' he recalled.
This cry for accountability resonates across the troubled region, where the military junta's ties to Russian military contractors have resulted in an increase in violence amidst an ongoing conflict with Islamist groups. Witnesses have reported being subjected to horrific tactics including waterboarding and public executions as a means of instilling fear.
The Wagner Group, initially deployed under the influence of the Malian junta, has since been replaced by Africa Corps, a group reportedly under the direction of the Russian defense ministry, continuing the legacy of violence that was characteristic of their predecessors. Human rights organizations have documented atrocities attributed to both groups, calling for international scrutiny and justice for victims.
As the situation evolves in Mali, thousands have fled to neighboring countries such as Mauritania, seeking refuge from the chaos that has taken over their homeland. Personal accounts underline a collective trauma that stems from these brutal encounters and the pervasive violence that has engulfed their lives.
Ahmed's story, alongside many others like his, demands attention as communities confront the real and lasting consequences of mercenary warfare and the need for a just resolution in a region plagued by insecurity and sorrow.
