Human rights crisis in Mali: a year of severe restrictions

In 2025, Mali faced a deepening human rights crisis, with authorities imposing stricter limits on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Political opponents and civil society members were arbitrarily detained or forcibly disappeared. Government forces, their allies, and armed groups carried out illegal attacks and killings of civilians, while armed groups imposed blockades in several cities. At least 2,036 schools remained closed due to conflict, leaving thousands of children without education.

Political and legal context

Following the collapse of a peace process boycotted by political parties, civil society, and some armed groups, authorities introduced the National Charter for Peace and Reconciliation in February. In April, the political transition period—established after the 2020 military coup—was extended by five years.

In June, the Wagner Group was replaced by the Africa Corps, a Russian defense ministry-backed force, under a new security partnership with Mali.

In August, authorities claimed to have foiled a military coup, arresting several army officers and a French diplomat, who was also linked to French intelligence services.

In September, Mali announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Crackdown on dissent: freedom of expression and assembly

The dissolution of all political parties in early 2025 exemplified the ongoing repression of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Protests in Bamako in April and May against this decision were violently suppressed by security forces.

Forced disappearances escalate

Security forces and unidentified armed groups targeted activists, civil society leaders, and political figures with forced disappearances.

• Alou Badra Sacko, coordinator of the February 20th Movement and president of the civil society group Touche pas à mon argent, was abducted in Bamako on March 14 after advocating for the removal of mobile money transaction taxes. He was held in secret and released on May 24.
• El Bachir Thiam, leader of the Yelema party, was kidnapped from his home on May 8. The UN Human Rights Council called for his immediate release; he was freed on September 26 after opposing the dissolution of political parties and the transition extension.
• Alhassane Abba, secretary-general of the Convergence for Mali’s Development party, was taken from his Bamako residence on May 8 by armed men posing as gendarmes. He was released on June 5 without charges.

Arbitrary arrests and detentions

The UN Human Rights Council demanded the release of detained activists Moulaye Baba Haïdara, Mahamoud Mohamed Mangane, and Amadou Togola, who were tortured in custody since 2023 on charges including undermining state security and threatening national unity.

Former Prime Minister Moussa Mara was arrested in August for a social media post declaring he would fight by all means for the rights of detained dissidents. Charged with undermining state credibility and opposing legitimate authority, he was sentenced in October to one year in prison.

Clément Dembele, an anti-corruption activist, remained detained despite a court ruling in April to drop charges against him. Arrested in 2023 for allegedly threatening the president and his family, the UN called for his unconditional release in August.

Violence by armed groups

Armed groups continued to target civilians, including:

• February: 34 civilians killed in an attack by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) on a convoy near Gao, escorted by Malian security forces.
• May: Sidi Barka, a civil society leader, was abducted by EIS in Ménaka; his body was found in August.
• May: Ousmane Kampo, mayor of Konna (Mopti region), was kidnapped by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM) while working in his fields. He was released on October 4.
• August: The Macina Katiba attacked Farabougou (Dogofry commune), killing civilians and displacing residents. The mayor of Dogofry, Modibo Kimbiri, and his driver were also killed by traditional hunters between Diabaly and Dogofry.
• November 6: Mariam Cissé, a social media influencer, was abducted in Echell (Tombouctou region) and executed the next day in Tonka, where her body was left in public.

Military and allied violations of international law

Malian armed forces and their partners committed serious violations, including torture and extrajudicial executions.

• March 16: At least 10 civilians were killed in a drone strike by the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) on a market in Ejdeïr (Tombouctou region).
• April 12: FAMa and Wagner-affiliated forces detained around 100 men, mostly from the Fulani community, at a market in Sebabougou (Kayes region). At least 60 were taken to the Kwala military camp (Koulikoro region), where they were tortured. Many were later executed; their decomposed bodies were found near the camp a week later.
• May 12: A group of Malian soldiers and Dozos militiamen arrested 23–27 men at Diafarabé’s weekly market. Blindfolded and bound, they were transported by pirogue and executed, with bodies buried in mass graves. The army promised an investigation but no updates have been released.

Economic and social rights under siege

The GSIM continued to restrict access to cities like Gossi, Léré, and Diafarabé, violating rights to food security and free movement. In July, it announced a blockade on Kayes and Nioro du Sahel, targeting fuel shipments from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Tanker trucks in western and central Mali became frequent targets.

Education crisis worsens

The education sector collapsed further, with 2,036 schools non-functional by June 2025, up from 1,984 in 2024. Over 618,000 children were denied their right to education, with the Kidal region most affected—63% of children were out of school.