Mass killings and arson in Ségou: what witnesses report
In early October, armed forces and allied militias carried out deadly operations in two villages located in Mali’s central region, leaving at least 31 civilians dead and homes reduced to ashes. The incidents occurred on October 2 in Kamona and on October 13 in Balle, both areas under the influence of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate operating in the Sahel.
Witnesses described how soldiers and Dozos—traditional hunters turned counterinsurgency allies—entered the villages, accused male residents of collaborating with armed groups, and executed them in cold blood. Homes were set ablaze, livestock stolen, and bodies left scattered in the bush.
Kamona: 21 men killed, homes burned
On the morning of October 2, soldiers arrived in Kamona aboard seven pickup trucks, three armored vehicles, and Dozo militiamen on motorcycles. According to local accounts, the GSIM had warned villagers of the advance, prompting many to flee. Those who remained were rounded up and shot. At least ten huts and three storage buildings belonging to Fulani residents were torched.
A 40-year-old herder, who had taken refuge in an abandoned house with his nine-year-old daughter, recounted discovering 17 bodies later that day. “They were riddled with bullets,” he said. “One man’s skull was shattered. Spent cartridges littered the ground.” A 39-year-old villager, who helped bury the dead, described digging a mass grave under a tree to lay 17 men to rest, while four more bodies were found north of the village with gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
The list of victims from Kamona included 21 men aged 20 to 65. Residents believe the death toll could be higher, with reports of at least 15 more men killed in the surrounding bush, though no one dared to verify due to fear of further violence.
Balle: 10 civilians killed, including a woman resisting abuse
Thirteen days later, on October 13, soldiers and Dozos stormed Balle, a village under GSIM control for years. Some residents fled immediately, while others were beaten or shot during door-to-door searches. Ten civilians—nine men aged 22 to 67 and one 55-year-old woman—were killed, and over 100 cattle were stolen.
A 33-year-old man described finding the bodies the next day: “They lay side by side, perforated by bullets. Some had broken limbs.” The slain woman’s 21-year-old daughter recalled her mother confronting the soldiers, accusing them of abuse before being dragged away and executed.
Accountability and international law at stake
Survivors and community leaders insist the military equates all villagers with GSIM fighters, despite no armed clashes occurring during the attacks. “We pay zakat every year,” one resident said. “Disputes are settled by the jihadists. There are no soldiers or police here. The army doesn’t distinguish between us and them.”
Since 2012, Mali’s protracted conflict has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced over 400,000 people. Both state forces and Islamist armed groups have been accused of grave violations, including executions, arson, and torture. International humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians, summary executions, and the destruction of property—all of which were documented in these incidents.
Despite Mali’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in September, the country remains bound by the Rome Statute until September 2026, during which time alleged war crimes could still be investigated. The African Union (AU) has yet to take meaningful action beyond issuing statements expressing concern.
The events followed a GSIM siege on Bamako in early September, cutting off fuel supplies to the capital and forcing the military junta to suspend all schools and universities nationwide. Analysts warn that unchecked abuses by all parties risk deepening the crisis and fueling further radicalization in the region.
Calls for justice and regional response
Human rights advocates urge Mali’s authorities to conduct impartial investigations and hold perpetrators accountable. “The October massacres in Ségou are part of a disturbing pattern of violence,” said a senior researcher. “Without credible justice, these crimes will only embolden further atrocities.” Regional bodies, including the African Union, are urged to prioritize the conflict, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and coordinate international action to ensure accountability for all violations.
