One of the major reasons the junta in Bamako gave for taking power from civilian rulers was the worsening insurgency and insecurity in Mali. According to them, and other coup makers that followed in the region, the “corrupt” civilian governments and their security partners had not been efficacious in fighting terrorism. French forces helped push back Ansar al-Din and AQIM in 2012 and 2013 were seen by the junta as liabilities in the fight. Subsequently, Bamako asked French forces to end their operation and leave the country. This “coincided” with the hiring of the services of Prigozhin-led Wagner to supplant the role of external forces.

This notwithstanding, UN forces, despite being restricted by the junta were left to be stationed and operate in the country.

In 2023, a UN report on Wagner-backed atrocities by the Malian military became a watershed moment for MINUSMA. The report brought to light summarily executions, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and other war crimes that mostly occurred in central Mali. Fulbe communities were mostly targeted. Shortly after the report, Mali requested that the UNSC end the mission.
The current report by HRW shows that these abuses have continued and even intensified after the UN forces left. Covering December 2023 to March 2024, the report, according to the organization, shows “horrific abuses”. It added that the Malian authorities are also determined to “eliminate scrutiny” of the situation.