“We are deeply concerned about the worsening human rights situation throughout Mali,”said OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango.
Subsequent clashes between Malian security forces and armed groups – including the Tuareg-led Azawad Liberation Front and the Al Qaeda-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) – have continued in recent days, particularly in central regions with “disastrous consequences for civilians.”
Senior UN officials – including Secretary-General António Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk – have called on all parties to respect international law, including the protection of civilians.
Reports of abuse
There are also allegations of serious human rights violations following the attacksincluding reports of extrajudicial executions and kidnappings.
On May 2, lawyer and politician Mountaga Tall was kidnapped from his home by unidentified armed men, while his wife was assaulted. His whereabouts and that of several other people allegedly kidnapped are unknown.
Authorities have announced an investigation into the attacks. OHCHR urged that any investigation be thorough and carried out in full respect of international human rights law, including due process guarantees.
Growing humanitarian concerns
Beyond the violence, Humanitarian conditions are worsening, with fears of hunger growing in some parts of the country..
In Mopti, central Mali, local officials warned that communities risk running out of food amid blockades imposed by armed groups. Diafarabe village and Bamako are reportedly under blockade by JNIM militants, restricting the flow of essential supplies.
“Such blockades have unacceptable consequences for civilians and must end immediately,” said OHCHR spokesperson Magango, calling for safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
Children pay the “highest price”
The crisis is taking a heavy toll on children, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warning that “it is children who are paying the highest price for the current violence in Mali.”
A school in Mopti was reportedly hit by the presence of armed elements and explosive devices, impacting at least 300 children, while an attack on a community health center in Gao undermined access to care for nearly 2,700 children.
“Schools and health centers should be safe havens and should never be targets,“UNICEF said in a statement, calling for the protection of civilian infrastructure and an end to violations against children.
Hospitals overwhelmed
Medical facilities are struggling to cope with the influx of victims.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stepped up its support to hospitals in Bamako, Kati, Mopti and Gao, providing emergency supplies, fuel and technical assistance.
Red Cross teams have delivered medical kits, supported surgical teams and supplied fuel to ensure hospitals can continue to operate, especially in conflict-affected regions.