Warning: This story contains descriptions of torture and physical violence. Some readers may find it distressing.
A shopkeeper in Mali described to the BBC how Russian mercenaries used cold-blooded murder as a tactic against alleged jihadists, including the execution of two men before his eyes. The mercenaries threatened him as well, suggesting gruesome punishment if he failed to cooperate.
These testimonies form part of a stark picture painted by human rights groups regarding the actions of Russian operatives who had been engaged in a brutal counter-insurgency operation in Mali since the military junta took power in 2021.
Wagner Group, once famously associated with the Russian state, has reportedly been succeeded by Africa Corps, which operates under the Russian defence ministry. Even after Wagner's withdrawal, the legacy of violence remains, as accounts from victims detail extensive torture tactics, including mock executions and torture via drowning.
Ahmed, our shopkeeper witness, fled to Mauritania after experiencing horrific torture at the hands of these mercenaries.
Ahmed’s traumatic recounting includes being subjected to suffocating water torture, witnessing fellow captives mutilate, and a callous indifference to life displayed by the attackers.
Others from the region corroborate similar experiences, including one refugee recounting the brutal beatings and even execution of friends.
As the violence displaces thousands, Ahmed and many others in refugee camps express a desire for justice against the mercenaries who have wreaked havoc on their lives. The situation remains tenuous as reports suggest that while the current forces may be less overtly violent, the fear instilled by their predecessors is still palpable.
Ahmed continues to live with the traumatic memories of his torture, revolutionizing his perception of home and safety, haunted by the violence that is now a part of his past.
