The UN Secretary General’s quarterly report also found a sharp increase in the number of displaced persons in Mali.
In accordance with its mandate, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) released its report covering the first quarter of 2023. According to the report, 224 human rights violations and abuses occurred during this period, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 people, including 82 men, five women, and eight children. Another 87 people were injured, including 38 men, 19 women and 30 children.
The UN mission in Mali recorded 42 victims of abduction or forced separation.
Violent extremist groups were the main perpetrators of violence against civilians. The report notes 170 cases of abuse involving 116 men, 21 women, and 33 children. In addition, the report noted violations of international humanitarian and human rights law during military operations by the Malian Armed Forces, including operations involving foreign security personnel and dozos (traditional hunters).
Also, 55 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention were recorded during military operations.
Recruitment of children by armed groups
The report also noted an increase in the number of grave violations committed against children. From 215 cases in the previous period, 264 children were victims of violations. Of these children, at least 134 were directly affected. These violations included recruitment and use (135 cases), killing or maiming (61 cases), sexual violence (4 cases), abduction (19 cases), attacks on schools and hospitals (31 cases), and denial of humanitarian access (14 cases).
Of the 135 children recruited, 67 left armed groups during the reporting period, 15, including three girls, were abducted and forcibly recruited, and one girl was abducted for sexual purposes.
This suggests that insecurity in Mali is not only persistent, but growing, resulting in an increase in the number of displaced persons from 350,000 in January 2022 to over 412,000 in December 2022.
An additional 175,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. This year, 8.8 million people will need humanitarian assistance. This figure has increased by 17 percent compared to 2022 due to conflict-related displacement, climate shocks, and food insecurity. A total of 5.1 million children (a 59 percent increase) are in need of assistance and 1.4 million (a 21 percent increase) are acutely malnourished. Humanitarian actors have requested $751.4 million to assist 5.7 million people, but humanitarian access remains very
difficult.
The prevailing insecurity in Mali severely limits the presence of government authorities. The MINUSMA report indicates that as of January, 110 (or 44 percent) of the 245 administrative authorities (governors, prefects, and sub-prefects) had taken office in the central and northern regions of the country. All governors were at their duty stations, but only 67 percent of prefects and 38 percent of sub-prefects were in place.
MD/ac/fss/as/APA