Assimi Goïta

Following Wagner's announced withdrawal, the Russian presence continued through Africa Corps. In 2026, HRW documented massacres and other abuses by Malian forces and their Russian partners amid renewed fighting.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Command responsibility

HRW documented killings, enforced disappearances and destruction of property by Malian forces and Wagner; in 2025, at least 12 executions and 81 disappearances of Fulani civilians were documented across a series of operations.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Command responsibility

The junta dissolved all political parties following a national conference supporting an extension of Goïta's rule and demonstrations demanding a return to democracy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Council of Ministers suspended the activities of political parties and associations until further notice following calls by dozens of organisations for a return to constitutional order.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Eleven political figures were arrested while attending a private meeting following the suspension of political activities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

A national dialogue largely boycotted by the opposition recommended extending the military transition by several years and allowing Goïta to stand in a future presidential election.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Goïta's Mali, together with Burkina Faso and Niger, initiated its withdrawal from ECOWAS and strengthened the Alliance of Sahel States, notably through common travel documents.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Investigations documented summary executions, enforced disappearances and other abuses against civilians during joint operations by Malian forces and Wagner-linked fighters.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Command responsibility

Following the UN report on Moura, authorities threatened its authors with prosecution for espionage and had previously expelled the head of MINUSMA's human rights division.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

Goïta's government demanded MINUSMA's immediate withdrawal, leading to the closure of a mission that had operated for a decade.

Attribution

Political responsibility

The junta abandoned its original timetable for early elections, triggering a crisis with ECOWAS and regional sanctions before adopting a new transitional timetable.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Malian authorities suspended international media outlets and increased pressure on journalists and critics, citing in particular the dissemination of false allegations against the military.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Institutional responsibility

HRW documented the summary execution of approximately 300 civilians in Moura by Malian forces and associated foreign fighters during a counterterrorism operation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Command responsibility

Goïta had transitional President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane arrested and forced them to resign, before becoming transitional president himself.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Colonel Assimi Goïta led the military group that overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, arrested the head of state, the Prime Minister and several officials, and took charge of the National Committee for the Salvation of the People.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the coup, civilian and military officials were detained for varying periods, prompting calls for their release and respect for procedural safeguards.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated