Mali The Malian army on the way to Kidal

Mali urges displaced people to return to Kidal as rebels denounce abuses

Shortly before the Malian army and mercenaries from the Russian paramilitary group Wagner entered the city of Kidal on November 14, the city in the north of the country was evacuated of its residents. Despite the Malian Ministry of Reconciliation’s recent call for civilians to return, there has been almost no return for now. In Kidal as elsewhere, civilians and CSP-PSD rebels denounce abuses.

Published on: November 19, 2023 – 01:30 am

1 minute

With our regional correspondent, Serge Daniel

Recently Leave the city of Kidal Seeking refuge further north on Saturday November 18, this resident accused the fighters of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner of robbing everything in the house he lived in: “There is nothing left to keep at home. We even saved our heads because otherwise they would shoot us for nothing. There is nothing left in the house. They took everything in the region. »

The Malian Ministry of Reconciliation’s appeal to the displaced population of Kidal has not yet been heard. The return movement has not started yet and we need to raise more awareness and persuade more.

Especially at the same time The rebels joined forces in the Strategic and Permanent Peace Framework, Security and Development (CSP-PSD) denounces abuses against civilians in northwest Mali in a press release. The rebels are calling on human rights organizations to take up the issue.

When contacted by RFI, two government sources categorically denied the rebel groups’ statements.

Also read: Kidal: Images of tunnels fuel rumors and disinformation