Human rights situation in Mali: a crisis deepening in 2025
In 2025, Mali witnessed a severe deterioration in fundamental freedoms, with authorities imposing stricter controls over freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Political opponents and civil society members faced arbitrary arrests, forced disappearances, or were held without legal justification. Government forces, their allies, and armed groups carried out illegal attacks and killings targeting civilians. Additionally, armed groups enforced blockades in multiple cities, leaving at least 2,036 schools non-functional due to the ongoing conflict.
Political and security context in Mali
The country’s political landscape remained unstable in 2025. After a failed peace process in early 2024—boycotted by political parties, civil society, and certain armed factions—the government introduced the National Charter for Peace and Reconciliation in February. By April, the political transition period, originally established after the 2020 military coup, was extended by five years.
In June, the Russian government replaced the Wagner Group with the Africa Corps, a new security partnership under the direct control of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This move followed a series of security agreements with Mali.
In August, authorities claimed to have foiled a military coup, detaining several high-ranking officers, soldiers, and a French diplomat with alleged ties to French intelligence services.
In September, Mali announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Crackdown on freedom of expression, association, and assembly
The dissolution of all political parties in early 2025 marked a stark escalation in the suppression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Public protests against this decision erupted in Bamako in April and May, but were met with violent crackdowns by security forces.
Forced disappearances targeting activists and political figures
Security forces were implicated in multiple cases of forced disappearances targeting activists, civil society leaders, and political figures.
On March 14, Alou Badra Sacko, coordinator of the Call of February 20 movement and president of the civil society group Don’t Touch My Money, was abducted in central Bamako by armed, masked men. He was held in an undisclosed location before being released on May 24. Just days prior to his abduction, Sacko had publicly demanded the removal of taxes on mobile financial transactions.
On May 8, El Bachir Thiam, leader of the political party Yelema, was kidnapped from his home by unidentified assailants. His whereabouts remained unknown for months. The UN Human Rights Council issued an urgent appeal for his release, and he was finally freed on September 26. Thiam had been a vocal opponent of the dissolution of political parties and the extended political transition.
Also on May 8, masked gunmen in an unmarked vehicle, posing as gendarmes, abducted Alhassane Abba, Secretary-General of the political party Convergence for Mali’s Development, from his Bamako residence. He was released without charge on June 5.
Arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions
In March, the UN Human Rights Council called for the immediate release of political activists Moulaye Baba Haïdara, Mahamoud Mohamed Mangane, and Amadou Togola, who had been detained since 2023. They were reportedly tortured during their captivity and faced charges including “undermining state security” and “threatening national unity and state credibility”.
Moussa Mara, former Prime Minister of Mali, was arrested in August after posting on X (formerly Twitter) that he would fight “by all means” for the rights of detained individuals who expressed dissent. He was charged with “undermining state credibility” and “opposing legitimate authority” and sentenced in October to one year in prison.
Clément Dembele, a prominent anti-corruption activist, remained in detention despite a court ruling in April ordering his release. He had been arrested in 2023 on charges of threatening the life of the President and his family. The UN Human Rights Council renewed its call for his unconditional release in August.
Attacks and killings by armed groups
Armed factions continued to target civilians, committing unlawful killings and abductions.
In February, 34 civilians were killed in an attack by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) on a civilian convoy near the village of Kobé, close to Gao. The convoy was reportedly escorted by Malian security forces.
In May, Sidi Barka, a prominent civil society leader, was abducted by EIS members in Ménaka. Local sources reported that his body was found outside the city in August.
Also in May, Ousmane Kampo, mayor of Konna (in the Mopti region), was abducted by members of the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) while working in his fields. He was released on October 4.
In August, members of the Macina Katiba launched an attack on Farabougou (in the Dogofry commune), seizing military positions. The assault, which involved indiscriminate violence against civilians, triggered a mass exodus. Also in August, the mayor of Dogofry, Modibo Kimbiri, and his driver were killed by traditional hunters who opened fire on their vehicle between Diabaly and Dogofry.
On November 6, in Echell (in the Tombouctou region), armed group members abducted Mariam Cissé, a well-known social media personality. The following day, they took her to her hometown of Tonka, executed her, and left her body in a public square.
Violations of international humanitarian law
Malian armed forces and their allies were accused of serious breaches of international humanitarian law, including torture and extrajudicial executions.
On March 16, at least 10 civilians were killed in Ejdeïr (in the Tombouctou region) during a drone strike by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) on a busy market day.
On April 12, FAMa soldiers and Wagner allies arrested around 100 men—primarily from the Fulani community—at a market in Sebabougou (in the Kayes region). According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), about 60 were taken to the Kwala military camp (in the Koulikoro region), where they were tortured during interrogations. Most were later executed by gunfire. A week later, decomposing bodies believed to belong to some of the victims were discovered near the camp by families searching for their loved ones.
On May 12, a group of Malian soldiers accompanied by Dozos militiamen arrested between 23 and 27 men at the weekly market in Diafarabé. The detainees were blindfolded, their hands bound, and transported by pirogue to the opposite riverbank, where they were executed and buried in mass graves. While the army pledged to investigate the alleged executions, no further details have been made public.
Economic and social rights under threat
The Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) continued to impose blockades on several towns, including Gossi, Léré, and Diafarabé. These restrictions severely impacted access to food, healthcare, and freedom of movement. In July, the group announced additional blockades around Kayes and Nioro du Sahel, restricting fuel supplies from neighboring Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. The restrictions targeted fuel tankers traveling through western and central Mali.
Impact on education: a generation at risk
The education crisis worsened significantly in 2025. By June, at least 2,036 schools were closed due to insecurity—up from 1,984 in June 2024—leaving 618,000 children without access to education. The Kidal region was the hardest hit, with 63% of children out of school.
