“We Used to Be Brothers” Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali WATCH
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HUMAN RIGHTS “We Used to Be Brothers” Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali WATCH “We Used to Be Brothers” Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali Copyright © 2018 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-6231-36895 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people worldwide. We scrupulously investigate abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice. Human Rights Watch is an independent, international organization that works as part of a vibrant movement to uphold human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an international organization with staff in more than 40 countries, and offices in Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Goma, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Nairobi, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Tunis, Washington DC, and Zurich. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.hrw.org DECEMBER 2018 ISBN: 978-1-6231-36895 “We Used to Be Brothers” Self-Defense Group Abuses in Central Mali Map of Mali ......................................................................................................................... i Map of Mopti Region Cercles .............................................................................................. ii Summary ........................................................................................................................... 1 Violence and Loss of Livelihoods .............................................................................................. 3 Malian Government’s Inadequate Response .............................................................................4 Security Forces Failure to Adequately Protect Civilians ..............................................................4 Lack of Justice for Communal Violence ...................................................................................... 5 Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 6 To the Malian Government ....................................................................................................... 6 To the Malian Judiciary ............................................................................................................ 6 To the Malian Security Forces .................................................................................................... 7 To the Mopti Region Prosecutor ................................................................................................ 7 To the Malian Parliament .......................................................................................................... 7 To the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court ................................................................ 8 To the United Nations .............................................................................................................. 8 To Mali’s International Partners (European Union, France, United States and other foreign partners) ................................................................................................................................. 8 Methodology .................................................................................................................... 10 Background and Context .................................................................................................. 12 The Conflict in Northern Mali ................................................................................................... 12 The Conflict in Central Mali ..................................................................................................... 14 Armed Islamist Recruitment of the Peuhl ................................................................................. 16 Factors Contributing to Communal Tension in Central Mali ...................................................... 19 Disputes over Access to Land and Water .......................................................................... 20 Proliferation of Military Firearms and Other Weapons ........................................................ 21 Allegations of Self-Defense Groups as Government Proxies ............................................... 23 Abusive Armed Groups in Central Mali .............................................................................. 25 Bambara Self-Defense Groups ................................................................................................ 25 The Dozo .......................................................................................................................... 25 Dogon Self-Defense Groups ................................................................................................... 26 Dan Na Ambassagou ....................................................................................................... 26 Dogon self-defense groups in Douentza cercle ................................................................. 28 Islamist armed groups ........................................................................................................... 29 Macina Liberation Front ................................................................................................... 29 Ansaroul Islam ................................................................................................................ 29 Peuhl Self-Defense Groups ..................................................................................................... 30 Peuhl Alliance pour le Salut du Sahel ............................................................................... 30 Peuhl village self-defense forces ...................................................................................... 31 Past Communal Violence in Central Mali ........................................................................... 32 Key incidents .......................................................................................................................... 32 Communal Violence in Mopti Region ................................................................................. 34 Abuses Against Peuhl Communities ................................................................................. 37 Abuses by Bambara Self-Defense Groups ................................................................................ 37 Koumaga ......................................................................................................................... 38 Abuses by Dogon Self-defense Groups ................................................................................... 46 Bambara and Dogon Response to Allegations of Abuses ......................................................... 55 Abuses Against Dogon and Bambara Civilians .................................................................. 58 Killings in Douna, Saberé and Other Villages ........................................................................... 61 Dogon Civilians Killed by IEDs ................................................................................................ 68 Attacks Against Bambara Civilians in Djenné Cercle ............................................................... 69 Civilians Missing After Communal Violence ...................................................................... 70 Communal Violence, Displacement and Hunger in Mopti Region ...................................... 74 Self-Defense Groups Undermine Livelihoods ........................................................................... 75 “Embargo” on Peuhl Villagers ................................................................................................. 76 Blockades, Explosive Devises and Malnutrition in Dogon Communities ................................... 78 Widespread Livestock Theft .................................................................................................... 81 The Role of the Malian Government .................................................................................. 84 Unrealized Commitment to Disarm and Hold Abusers to Account ............................................ 86 Failure to Impartially Respond to Communal Violence ............................................................ 88 Self-defense Groups Moving with Arms; Defying Motorcycle Ban ............................................ 89 Alleged State Support of Dogon and Bambara Militias ............................................................. 93 Security Force Response to Communal Violence ...................................................................... 95 Peuhl and Security Force Protection ....................................................................................... 96 Bambara and Dogon and Security Force Protection ................................................................. 98 Failure to Ensure Justice for Communal Violence ................................................................... 100 Response from Malian Authorities .................................................................................. 103 Government Response Regarding Allegations of State Support to Militias ............................. 103 Government Response to Lack of Progress on Disarming Abusive Militiamen ......................... 104 Government Response Regarding Alleged Inadequate Protection for Civilians ....................... 105 Government