Mali sanctions extended as killings and abductions increase
The United Nations Security Council says it has extended, until 31 August 2022, ‘the travel ban and asset freeze imposed through resolution 2374 (2017) against individuals and entities obstructing implementation of the 2015 Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali.’
In its most recent report, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (‘MINUSMA’) said that the second quarter of 2021 ‘was marked by an increase in the number of civilians affected by violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law. Between April and June, at least 527 civilians were killed, injured, or abducted/disappeared, an overall increase of more than 25% from the first quarter (421).’
It further added, ‘The majority of violent incidents against civilians were perpetrated by the Jama’at nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), and other similar groups, which killed, injured, or abducted 54% of the victims recorded nationwide. This was followed by community-based militias and self-defense groups (20%).
‘Human rights violations were also documented during security operations conducted by the Malian Defense and Security Forces (MDSF) and international and regional forces. These accounted for 9% and 6%, respectively, of the total number of victims during the reporting period.
‘JNIM and similar groups continued to strengthen their territorial hold, particularly in the rural areas of Central Mali, with a notable expansion of their activities into the southern cercles of the country, namely Ségou and Sikasso.’
