April 2025 Report on Human Rights Violations in Azawad

Citizen Watch Observatory for the Defense of the People of Azawad (Kal-Akal Association)

REPORT No. 04/MHB/2025
Period: April 2025
Date: May 1, 2025

Introduction:

The Kal-Akal Association, a citizen watch observatory dedicated to defending human rights in Azawad, tirelessly works to promote justice, education, local development, social cohesion, and cultural preservation. Its primary mission remains the protection of the fundamental rights of the people of Azawad.

In a context marked by persistent conflict, where civilians face massacres, cultural destruction, and loss of livelihoods, Kal-Akal is committed to rigorously documenting human rights violations. These abuses are predominantly perpetrated by Wagner Group mercenaries, backed by the Malian junta’s army, as well as various armed groups.

Through a network of focal points spread across Azawad, the association collects testimonies, evidence, and detailed information from victims, their relatives, or anonymous witnesses. These elements—including dates, locations, identities of alleged perpetrators, methods used, and sometimes images—feed into documentation efforts aimed at bringing those responsible for these crimes to justice.

This monthly report provides an update on the evolution of human rights violations committed against civilians and their property in Azawad and, to some extent, in central Mali. It documents atrocities primarily carried out by Russian Wagner Group mercenaries, alongside the Malian junta’s army, as well as by armed groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS).

Chronicle of Human Rights Violations in Azawad:

April 2025 saw a dramatic escalation in human rights abuses across several regions of Azawad. The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), supported by Wagner Group mercenaries, as well as armed groups like ISGS, intensified acts of violence targeting civilians.

I. Summary Executions and Targeted Killings: +87 confirmed cases (7 in Azawad, over 80 in central Mali)

The spiral of violence led to tragic civilian deaths:

• April 11, 2025, in Zarho Tadoumoumt (Gao region): Shepherd Offene Ag Med Alkher was executed by a FAMa-Wagner patrol. His stick and rope were found near his grave, confirming his summary execution.
• April 13, 2025: Ahmadou Ag Mohamed, nicknamed « Folley, » succumbed to injuries in Tekankante after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Wagner and FAMa elements detonated.
• April 22, 2025: A Malian drone strike on the Talahandak livestock market killed two innocent civilians and caused severe material damage, leaving one critically injured.

Kal-Akal expresses deep outrage over the violence against the Fulani community on April 12, 2025, in Sebabougou (Diéma Cercle, Kayes Region). According to testimonies, over 200 people were arrested by forces supposedly ensuring their security. After days of detention, 66 were released, followed by 54 more. The remaining detainees were reportedly executed, per consistent local sources.

II. Arbitrary Arrests, Abductions, and Enforced Disappearances: 47 confirmed cases

April 2025 saw a sharp rise in arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances, particularly targeting civilians unconnected to combat. Notable cases include:

• April 1, 2025 (Kidal): Kanani Ag Gagui was arrested by FAMa-Wagner at the Intidban checkpoint after his phone was searched.
• April 2, 2025: The prefect of Ansongo was abducted by armed terrorist groups 30 km from Ansongo while en route to Gao. His whereabouts remain unknown.
• Same day (Lellehoye Haoussa, Ansongo): Armed individuals stole a herd of livestock near a military garrison and violently beat the shepherds.
• April 11, 2025 (Zarho): 12 civilians (including shepherds, a merchant, a prominent imam, and two mentally ill individuals) were arrested in a brutal raid. Three civilians were also injured.
• April 12, 2025 (Timbuktu): 20 civilians were arbitrarily arrested in Zarho, while three others were seriously injured by FAMa-Wagner.
• April 26, 2025:
• In Gao, three young Tuaregs from the Idnane community were arrested by FAMa-Wagner.
• In Anniya (Timbuktu region), six civilians, including Mahamad and his son Akhandor Ag Mahamad, were arrested by FAMa-Wagner.

III. Systematic Looting and Mass Destruction of Civilian Property / Rape: 10 major incidents

April 2025 witnessed widespread looting, violent extortion, and destruction of civilian property, mainly by FAMa, Wagner mercenaries, and terrorist groups.

• April 19, 2025 (Amasarakad, Gao region): A FAMa-Wagner patrol and local militias confiscated all fuel stocks from merchants, causing prices of essential goods to skyrocket.
• April 21, 2025 (Djebock market): FAMa-Wagner arrested several fuel merchants, seized their gasoline and diesel, and transported the goods to Gao in military vehicles.
• April 22, 2025 (Gao-Intahaka road): ISGS militants intercepted civilians, looted a vehicle and a motorcycle, destroyed another vehicle, and robbed all passengers.
• Same day (near Tinaouker): A military convoy seized two civilian transport vehicles from Borj without justification.
• April 22, 2025 (Talahandak drone strike): Three civilian vehicles were severely damaged alongside the two deaths and one injury.
• April 23, 2025 (Samete and Ahina nomad camps): ISGS fighters attacked, committing violence against civilians and stealing livestock.
• April 12, 2025 (Tadjerert-Alata, Ménaka): A woman was fined 250,000 FCFA by ISGS for not wearing a niqab.

No documented rape cases were reported in April 2025, but systemic economic and physical violence against civilians remains a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

IV. Environmental Degradation and Attacks on Nature: 2 major confirmed cases

Military operations and terror policies have severely damaged natural resources and local ecosystems:

• Night of April 28-29 (Léré-Larneb axis): FAMa-Wagner elements deliberately set fire to several hectares of pastureland, devastating herders’ livelihoods.
• April 22 (Talahandak): The Malian drone strike also ignited fires near the livestock market, harming domestic animals and the local environment.

V. Humanitarian Consequences:

Persistent insecurity, arbitrary arrests, resource looting, and indiscriminate strikes continue to exacerbate civilian vulnerability. The collapse of basic services (communication, fuel, markets) is driving more families to flee or despair.

Conclusion:

Given the gravity and systematic nature of documented violations, Kal-Akal urgently calls on the international community to:

• Protect civilians in Azawad;
• Prosecute those responsible for these crimes;
• Ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected areas.

Kal-Akal also urges human rights organizations and Mali’s partners to pressure for recognition, documentation, and sanctions for these grave violations.

Kal-Akal will relentlessly continue its mission of documentation, advocacy, and justice for the victims.

Images of Crimes:

1. A shop vandalized by FAMa-Wagner in Zarho (April 11, 2025)

1. A civilian wounded by Malian army and Wagner mercenary gunfire in Zarho (April 11, 2025)

1. Two civilian vehicles damaged by a Malian drone strike in Talahandak (April 22, 2025)

Association Contact:

1. Facebook: https://cutt.ly/Fekd7aMb
2. Blog: https://www.kal-akal.com/
3. Twitter: https://x.com/kalakal2012/