AA/Bamako/Amarana Maiga
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced on Thursday that it had opened an investigation into allegations of alleged abuses committed against civilians during an operation by the Malian Armed Forces in the Moura area in the center of the country.
“MINUSMA has formally opened an investigation since March 29 in application of its human rights mandate and in support of efforts to establish the facts,” the UN mission said, adding that the Malian authorities have been informed. .
The document underlines that “in accordance with the procedures established since its deployment, the Mission has taken steps with the authorities to obtain air access to Moura, a locality where MINUSMA has never undertaken an operation and which is extremely difficult to access “.
In addition, it reiterates its “deep concern” at the allegations of “serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law” during an anti-terrorist operation carried out from March 27 to 31 by the Malian Armed Forces in Moura village.
The UN mission also indicates that the Malian authorities had also announced the opening of an investigation to establish the facts.
The Mopti Military Court has opened investigations following allegations of alleged abuses committed against civilians during an air-land operation by the Malian Armed Forces in the Moura area in the center of the country.
The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) had announced in a press release dated April 1, having neutralized 203 terrorists in a large-scale air-land operation carried out from March 23 to 31, 2022 in the Moura area 17 km northeast of Kouakourou in the Mopti region (center).
This announcement provoked reactions, in particular from the United States, the European Union, France and human rights organisations, such as Human Rights Watch and Crisis Group, which expressed their “concern” following reports of “exactions” in the village of Moura.
The Director of Information and Public Relations of the Armed Forces (Dirpa), Colonel Souleymane Dembelé, indicated on Thursday during a press conference that the objective of this airborne and air-land operation was to neutralize Amadou Kouffa, head of the Katiba from Macina who was to chair a meeting in Moura.
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