The United States has expressed concern over an “extremely disturbing report” that many people had been killed in central Mali last week. It said in a statement that there were some conflicting accounts on the reported massacre blaming the “unaccountable” Russian Wagner group for many civilian deaths, while others pointed to the Malian armed forces targeting violent groups.
The State Department said there was a need for the Malian transitional authorities to allow impartial investigations into the tragic events.
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“Failure to provide a thorough and credible accounting of the facts and accountability will only serve to sow divisions in Malian society… and drive communities into the hands of violent extremist groups, and create conditions for more violence,” it said.
Mali said over the weekend that it had killed more than 200 combatants in an operation between 21 and 31 March.
It came amid allegations on social media that dozens of civilians had been killed.